Jadeite masterclass: why it’s one of the hottest asset classes at auctions, and what to look for in a good piece – video
Auspicious, calming and once reserved for royals and noblemen, jadeite has some of the qualities most desired by the Chinese collector. While often favoured by more mature women because of its fabled ability to protect those who wear it from injuring themselves when they fall, the precious gem has garnered attention beyond its magic-like properties.
Among the hottest asset classes at auction in recent years, jewellery overall has seen a significant boost in both interest and value. Jadeite, with its more Asian collector base, is also seeing a growth in interest.
Ahead of Poly Auction’s 2020 Spring Auction in Hong Kong on July 7, where an extraordinary set of jadeite cabochon and diamond jewellery is set to fetch upwards of HK$20 million, we turn to an industry insider for tips on what makes a good piece of jadeite.
But unlike diamonds, where an internationally recognised grading system offers transparency on quality and pricing, appreciating jadeite requires a lot more experience. While there are certifications for Grade A jadeite, words used to describe the properties of the gem, such as “watery” and “clarity”, can be confusing.
According to Sze Sze, head of Jewels and Prestige Collections department at Poly Auction Hong Kong, touch and feel – and just speaking to others who work in the jadeite industry – will help first time buyers understand what to look for in a good piece of jadeite.
Here, Sze takes us through the basics of appreciating jadeite and what to look for when making your first purchase.
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With its strong appeal to Asian collectors, the gemstone has seen huge growth in value; jewellery expert Sze Sze of Poly Auction Hong Kong takes us through the basics of appreciating jadeite and explains what to look out for when making a purchase