Demystifying Jade Grades: What Do A, B, C, and D Really Mean?

Shopping for jade can be incredibly exciting, but as you scroll through different collections, you will quickly notice terms like "Type A," "Grade B," or "treated" attached to the stones. Unlike diamonds, which are graded on a complex scale of cuts and clarity, jadeite jade is categorized by a strict classification system based entirely on its authenticity and purity.

Understanding these grades is the single most important step in protecting your investment. Let’s demystify the jade grading scale so you know exactly what you are purchasing and why certain pieces carry so much more value than others.

The Jade Grading Scale Explained

The universal jade grading scale ranges from Type A to Type D. This system does not measure how "pretty" a stone is, nor does it rank a piece based purely on its color or translucency. Instead, the grade tells you what has happened to the stone from the moment it was mined from the earth to the moment it was polished.

Because master counterfeiters have perfected chemical treatments that make low-grade stone look like high-end jewelry, knowing how to read these grades ensures you aren't paying premium prices for a chemically altered imitation.

Type A: Fully Natural and Untreated Treasure

Type A jadeite represents the gold standard of the gemstone world. When a piece is classified as Type A, it means it is 100% natural and completely untreated.

The Process: The raw stone is mined, cut, carved, and polished using traditional methods. The only acceptable structural enhancement for Type A jade is a light coating of natural plum juice or beeswax after polishing to protect the surface and smooth out microscopic, natural surface pits.

The Appeal: The internal crystalline structure remains completely untouched and intact. Because it is completely organic, it retains its natural durability and the "living" depth that collectors cherish.

At Harmony of Jade, we deal exclusively in authentic, untreated Type A Burmese jadeite, ensuring that every piece retains its genuine cultural and spiritual essence.

Type B: Chemically Bleached and Polymer-Infused

Type B jade is genuine jadeite, but it has undergone aggressive chemical alteration to artificially improve its appearance.

The Process: Jewelers take low-quality, heavily flawed, or cloudy raw jade and submerge it in strong chemical acids (like sulfuric or hydrochloric acid) to eat away black inclusions and iron stains. This leaves the stone structurally weak and looking like a porous, white sponge. To fix this, the stone is placed under high pressure and injected with clear, industrial-grade plastic polymers or resins to stabilize it and restore its smooth appearance.

The Reality: While Type B jade looks beautifully translucent and clean to an untrained eye, its natural stone "soul" has been chemically stripped away and replaced with plastic filler.

Type C and D: Artificial Dyes and Complete Imitations

These categories represent the lowest tiers on the market and are heavily altered or outright fakes.

Type C (Dyed Jade)

Type C jade has undergone the exact same acid-bleaching and polymer-filling process as Type B, but with one major addition: artificial dyes. Jewelers inject vivid greens, lavenders, or honey tones into the porous stone to mimic highly prized, ultra-rare color variants. The color of a Type C piece is completely artificial and does not come from nature.

Type D (Imitation Jade)

Type D jade isn't jadeite at all. It is a deceptive classification used for completely different, low-value stones or synthetic materials masquerading as jade. This includes materials like green glass, plastic, serpentine, Malaysian jade (which is actually dyed quartz), or aventurine. Type D pieces have zero gemstone value.

How Chemical Treatments Impact Longevity and Value

The core difference between Type A and treated jade (Types B and C) comes down to longevity, daily safety, and investment value.

Quality Factor	Type A Jadeite	Treated Jade (Type B & C)
Market Value	Highly valuable; price steadily increases over time.	Worth very little; virtually no resale or collector value.
Durability	Incredibly tough and resistant to everyday impacts.	Brittle and fragile; the acid treatment destroys the crystalline bond.
Aging Process	Absorbs skin oils and develops a softer, deeper glow over time.	Yellows, fades, or turns patchy as the polymers decompose.
Chemical Safety	100% natural and completely safe against sensitive skin.	May leach synthetic chemicals or dyes when exposed to sweat and heat.

Final Thoughts

A piece of natural Type A jadeite is a slice of history formed over millions of years deep within the earth. When you invest in Type A jewelry, you are buying a durable, authentic treasure that can safely be passed down through your family for generations.

Always ask for an independent laboratory certificate of authenticity when shopping. Explore our fully certified, premium Type A natural Burmese jadeite collections at Harmony of Jade and discover the unmatched beauty of untouched nature.