Definition of Icy Jade
Icy jadeite is a term commonly used to refer to natural jadeite with high levels of translucency. With high translucency, jadeite takes on a frosted appearance which in the case of colourless jadeite, looks just like frosted ice.
Degrees of translucency in jadeite can differ and this is so, even among jadeite considered as “highly translucent”. Translucency is one of the key factors determining quality in fine jadeite. With all quality factors equal, jadeite with higher levels of translucency are much rarer and harder to acquire. As a result, the higher the translucency, the more valuable the jadeite.
How does icy jadeite look compared to glassy jadeite?
With regard to translucency, the top of the range jadeite with the highest levels of translucency are considered as “glassy jadeite”. We had an earlier article written about “glassy jadeite” and it can be found here. Compared with glassy jadeite, icy jadeite has a different look and feel. Icy jadeite, with its frosted look, has a cooler appearance whereas glassy jadeite radiates with a strong glow, making it more striking in appearance.
These photos below give a clear visual illustration of how icy jadeite compares with glassy jadeite.
Icy Jade in Other Colours
Icy jadeite is often associated with colourless or near colourless jadeite. The term “icy jadeite” is also exclusively used to refer to colourless and near colourless jadeite with NGI laboratory reports.
However, high translucency, the characteristic for determining icy jadeite, can also be found in natural jadeite of different colours. Even with jadeite displaying vivid colours, the jadeite can also display high degrees of translucency. This combination of high colour saturation and high translucency, creates a watery appearance in natural jadeite. This can also be visually described as a glowing appearance in the jadeite and this is most easily observed with dome shaped jadeite cabochons with high translucency and vivid colours.
Natural jadeite with these qualities are very rarely found and represent the finest specimens of natural jade.
Icy jadeite is a beautiful form of jadeite that directly relates to the quality of the jadeite. The look and feel of icy jadeite create unique pieces of jadeite jewellery that add a cool and frosted touch to any outfit!