Why This Jadeite Bangle Was Not Grade A

I was disappointed that I couldn’t take this bangle in the end, because I thought it was a very nice piece.

At first glance, it appeared to be an attractive natural jadeite bangle. Its pale background and scattered green color gave it a pleasant appearance, particularly for its price range. I had planned to add it to my inventory and price it at approximately US$200.

Of course, a jadeite bangle at that price would not be flawless. This one had a clearly visible crack, but I did not initially consider that a reason to reject it. The crack could be disclosed to the buyer, and the condition could be reflected fairly in the price.

A Visible Crack at a Lower Price

The crack can be seen more clearly in the close-up photograph below. I assumed that it was the main reason the bangle was inexpensive.

For some buyers, a visible crack would be unacceptable. For others, a cracked jadeite bangle may still be worth considering if the price is appropriate and the condition is explained honestly. I was prepared to accept this particular flaw on that basis.

Before offering the bangle for sale, however, I sent it to NGTC for testing.

What NGTC Found Inside the Crack

NGTC returned the bangle without issuing a certificate because an adhesive material had been detected.

This result initially confused me. The bangle had the visual characteristics I would normally expect from natural jadeite, and it did not look like an obviously treated piece. After I asked NGTC for clarification, I was told that the adhesive material was located specifically inside the crack.

The visible fracture was therefore not the only issue. At some point before the bangle reached me, an adhesive material had been introduced into the damaged area.

Why the Bangle Was Not Grade A

In the jadeite trade, Grade A generally refers to natural jadeite that has not been treated beyond traditional surface waxing. The term Grade B usually refers to jadeite that has been chemically bleached and then impregnated with a polymer resin.

This bangle should not automatically be described as a conventional Grade B jadeite bangle without knowing the complete testing results. Based on the explanation I received, the detected adhesive was localized inside the crack rather than confirmed throughout the entire bangle.

However, the presence of that adhesive meant that NGTC would not certify the bangle as Grade A.

This distinction is important. A piece of jadeite can look natural, and the underlying material may indeed be jadeite, while a previous repair still affects how the finished item can be described and certified.

Why Was Adhesive Added?

It is impossible to know exactly who added the adhesive or what their intention was.

It may have been used to stabilize the crack and reduce the risk of further damage. It may also have been intended to make the fracture less noticeable and improve the bangle’s appearance.

My suspicion is that someone had previously tried to conceal or repair the crack, possibly in the hope of selling the bangle at a higher price. However, that remains a possibility rather than a confirmed fact.

Whatever the original intention, the repair was not entirely successful. The crack remained visible, and the adhesive material was detected when the bangle was submitted for testing.

Why Experience Was Not Enough

An experienced jadeite seller can examine color, texture, translucency, surface features and visible fractures. However, localized treatments and repair materials are not always easy to identify by appearance alone.

The GIA notes that polymer compounds in jadeite may require examination by a qualified gemological laboratory using magnification and more advanced analytical methods. This is one reason laboratory testing remains important when a jadeite item is going to be represented as untreated.

In this case, I had already noticed the obvious crack and taken it into account. What I could not confirm visually was that adhesive material had been placed inside it.

This is an example of how even an experienced jadeite seller can encounter unexpected pitfalls.

What Buyers Can Learn From This Case

A low price can reasonably reflect a visible crack, uneven color or other clearly disclosed condition issues. It does not, however, tell us whether an item has been repaired or treated.

For buyers considering a jadeite bangle, this case offers several useful reminders:

- A visible crack does not necessarily mean that the bangle has been treated.

- A natural-looking appearance does not guarantee Grade A certification.

- Previous repairs may be difficult to identify without laboratory testing.

- The condition, treatment status and certification status should be considered separately.

- Any known repair or treatment should be disclosed clearly before a sale.

I ultimately decided not to keep this bangle because I would not have been able to offer it with the Grade A certification I had expected.

That is why I still rely on NGTC testing. Experience remains valuable, but it cannot always replace professional testing.

FAQs

Can a cracked jadeite bangle still be Grade A?

Yes. A crack is a structural or condition issue and does not by itself mean that the jadeite has been treated. However, if adhesive, resin or another filling material has been introduced into the crack, the bangle may no longer qualify for Grade A certification.

Can an experienced seller identify adhesive by looking at the bangle?

Not always. Some repairs may be visible under magnification, but small amounts of adhesive inside a fracture can be difficult to identify reliably without laboratory testing.

Should buyers avoid every cracked jadeite bangle?

Not necessarily. A cracked bangle may still be appealing at an appropriate price, provided that its condition, durability risks, repair history and certification status are clearly understood. The crack in this case was not the main reason I rejected the bangle; the unexpected adhesive and resulting certification issue were.