Jade is one of the most beautiful precious gemstones on the planet and is considered of great value to Chinese culture. Because jade has been mined since the Stone Age, it has become a symbol of great wealth and even nobility.
According to gemologists, jade has remained steady in value for many years, up until the last couple. The last two years have seen jade experience a massive price increase, almost doubling in cost.
How Much Is 10 Pounds of Jade Worth?
With Jade value rising, it is interesting to learn about the weight of these stones and how ten pounds adds up in cost. The cost of jade depends on whether it is in its raw, unfinished state or has been polished and refined. The cost also varies according to the rarety and color.
For instance, if you were to find a one-pound raw, unfinished jade stone, you can expect it to go for around $2 a pound. So, 10 pounds of raw, unfinished jade is only worth about $20. Unless the jade is a highly valuable type, such as imperial jade.
Imperial jade is the most expensive jade on the planet and is also the rarest. If you purchase imperial jade, it can sell for around $3000 for a single carat. It is easy to imagine how expensive this type of jade would become when you are talking about pounds.
So, if you were to discover ten pounds of imperial jade, the value would be immense. Precious gemstones, like jade, are sold by carat weight. A carat weighs about 0.2 grams.
There are approximately 2,267.96 carats in a single pound. If you multiply this number by ten, you will get 22,679.60 carats. This equates to a whopping $68,038,800! Most people will never see that amount of money in their lifetime.
What Is the Largest Jade Stone Found?
In 2016, miners uncovered a hidden treasure that has since shocked the world. A large jade boulder was discovered in the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar. This massive boulder weighed an incredible 192 US tons!
This huge jade boulder was 18 feet long and 18 feet wide. The jade boulder was 14 feet high. Experts agreed this major jade treasure would fetch a cost of around 170 million dollars. This amount was based on the boulder’s colossal size and quality.
Why Is Jade So Incredibly Expensive?
If you are wondering How much does Jade sell for, you need to understand what this stone means to Chinese culture.
As discussed above, jade is a stone that means nobility and wealth. While this gemstone has been mined since the Stone Age, the newly wealthy in China have renewed their interest in this gorgeous stone. Because of the increased demand, prices have skyrocketed over the last couple of years.
Because young Chinese people have discovered a renewed interest in this ancient stone, the cost of Jade has nearly doubled. This trend is now spreading like wildfire across the world, and the demand for jade is increasing.
What Types of Jade Are Most Valuable?
As with all gemstones, some types of jade have more value than others. Jade value comes from the stone’s rarity and quality.
There are two main types of valuable jade, and they include jadeite and nephrite. Jadeite is a type of jade exclusively found in Burma. This kind of jade is considered the most valuable because of its immensely rich color.
Nephrite primarily comes from Western China. This type of jade was used by the Chinese people for centuries before Jadeite became popular. If you are an ancient art collector, you will find most historical carved jade pieces are done in nephrite.
What Makes a Piece of Jade More Valuable?
As of 2016, the most expensive piece of jade jewelry was auctioned for a staggering $27.4 million. This Hutton-Mdivani Jadeite Necklace is made from jadeite and has a bit of history behind it, which increased its value.
So, what makes a piece of jade more valuable than others? The three most important attributes of jade include the following.
- Color
- Transparency
- Texture
Gemologists carefully survey jade under incandescent and fluorescent light sources so the stone’s true color can be evaluated. The gemologist will check the level of transparency and any mottling of colors, which can be highly desirable.
Clarity is also an essential consideration when evaluating the cost of Jade. Fractures will often negatively impact the value of a stone.
The color of jade is the most important factor when determining value. Many people are surprised to learn jade comes in many colors, though most attribute a rich green color to jade. The following are some of the most common colors of jade.
- Green
- Lavendar
- Red
- Orange
- Yellow
- Brown
- White
- Black
- Gray
Although jade is available in all of the above colors, most collectors seek a very specific shade. Jade that is emerald green in color is referred to as imperial jade and is the most sought after.
Jade Is a Collector’s Dream
If you are a gemstone collector, jade is undoubtedly an attractive stone to add to your collection. With its value rising, now is an ideal time to add pieces to your collection.
