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Artificial products / Manufactured products · Artificial product type · Synthetic product
Synthetic Jadeite
Man-made synthetic jadeite material, a name to use only when it truly meets the definition of a synthetic counterpart; GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A Table A.4 lists it as "synthetic jadeite". This page compares how the major standards and institutions name it, what must be disclosed when selling it, whether it can be worn every day, how it is treated and identified, and which source each conclusion comes from.
Price, rarity and origin are outside the scope of this wiki.
What this page can answer
This page covers
- How Synthetic Jadeite forms and what gives its colourFormation setting, process and timescale, each finding graded and sourced
- How to identify Synthetic JadeiteIdentification points from the research literature
- Hardness, density and refractive index of Synthetic JadeiteEach value with its source and check date
- Synthetic Jadeite in English, Chinese and Japanese; national standard namesNames in four languages, the GB/T standard name and the suggested listing name; and: Has any of GIA, FTC, CIBJO or Gem-A put a name for it on record here?
- Listing and disclosing Synthetic JadeiteThe listing name to use; what must be disclosed before sale
- Standard clauses that define Synthetic JadeiteWhich clause defines it, each cross-checked
What we cannot conclude
- Whether one particular bead is natural, treated or synthetic — only a laboratory report can settle that.
- Geographic origin, unless an origin report accompanies the item.
- Price, rarity or investment value: this wiki covers naming and disclosure only.
Material research: formation, causes and history
What authoritative sources say about how this material forms, what causes its colour and optical effects, where its name comes from and how people have used it. Each statement carries an evidence grade and its sources; it describes the material in general, not any specific piece.
How it forms
Synthetic jadeite is a man-made synthetic gem material having essentially the same composition and structure as natural jadeite, the principal mineral of jade (fei cui). CIBJO's nomenclature list records jadeite as a gemstone available as a synthetic (the Available-as-synthetic column is marked yes) and cites a study of General Electric synthetic jadeite, establishing synthetic jadeite as a synthetic-gem category. However, the cited authoritative sources do not document the specific preparation process (e.g., flux or hydrothermal growth) of synthetic jadeite, so no growth method is asserted here. Note that synthetic jadeite (a synthetic stone) differs in identity from the many jadeite imitations made from marble or quartzite, which lack jadeite's chemical composition, physical properties, and structure.
Scope: Applies to explaining the identity, naming and identification boundaries of synthetic jadeite as a synthetic gem; because the cited sources do not provide its specific preparation method, the manufacturing process is not described.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · G&G Summer 2020
Where it forms
Not applicable to any natural setting: synthetic jadeite is a man-made material that does not form in nature.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · G&G Summer 2020
The mimicked counterpart (not this product's setting): natural jadeite occurs in specific high-pressure metamorphic settings; this describes only the natural counterpart being imitated, not synthetic jadeite itself.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · G&G Summer 2020
How it forms, step by step
Feedstock preparation: prepare materials supplying Na, Al, Si and related components comparable to jadeite's composition (a synthetic stone is by definition essentially the same in composition and structure as its natural counterpart).
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Laboratory crystallization: grow jadeite crystals under laboratory conditions; the available sources for this record do not document the specific growth process (e.g., flux or hydrothermal), so no method is specified here.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Finishing and naming: fashion the synthetic jadeite into a product and, under CIBJO rules, name it synthetic jadeite with disclosure of its synthetic nature.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Link to appearance
Synthetic jadeite imitates the green color and texture of natural jadeite in appearance; distinguishing it from natural jadeite and imitations therefore requires testing composition, physical properties, and structure, not appearance alone.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · G&G Summer 2020
Timescale
The available sources give no duration, historical date, or first-synthesis time for synthetic jadeite.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · G&G Summer 2020
Supporting findings
Synthetic jadeite is a man-made synthetic gem of the jadeite family; however, the authoritative sources available for this record do not document its specific preparation process, so no synthesis method is asserted here.
Evidence grade AScope: Confirms it is a man-made synthetic stone; excludes specific methods and natural formation.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
How it is identified
For jade-family material, how it looks does not settle what it is: similarly coloured stones may have been treated, assembled or imitated, and the eye or routine inspection cannot confirm this. Trade rules define how the word 'synthetic' may be used and require disclosure, but they offer no means of identification; deciding whether a specimen is natural, synthetic or composite/imitation calls for laboratory testing. The conclusion should come from a qualified gem laboratory.
Evidence grade BScope: A conservative call: the listed source provides naming and disclosure rules only, with no material-specific tests.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Other research findings
CIBJO's nomenclature list records jadeite as a gemstone available as a synthetic and cites a study of General Electric synthetic jadeite, establishing synthetic jadeite as a synthetic-gem category.
Evidence grade AScope: Covers the existence of synthetic jadeite as a synthetic-gem category; not its preparation method.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Under CIBJO synthetic-stone nomenclature, synthetic jadeite must be named by the name of its natural counterpart preceded by synthetic/laboratory-grown/laboratory-created (e.g., synthetic jadeite), on equal prominence and without abbreviation.
Evidence grade AScope: Covers naming rules for synthetic jadeite; not preparation.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Synthetic jadeite (a synthetic stone) differs in identity from jadeite imitations (e.g., marble, quartzite), which lack jadeite's chemical composition, physical properties, and structure; the two must not be conflated.
Evidence grade AScope: Covers the identity distinction between synthetic and imitation; not item-by-item identification of specific imitations.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · G&G Summer 2020
Jadeite imitations are common in the market, including quartzite and dyed marble mistaken for jadeite rough; these imitations still need to be distinguished from natural and synthetic jadeite.
Evidence grade AScope: Covers the phenomenon of jadeite imitations in the market; not synthetic jadeite itself.
Sources G&G Summer 2020
Identification principle, borrowed from emerald inclusion studies and applied here as a reference approach for recognising synthetic jadeite: laboratory-grown and treated stones frequently carry inclusions that visually betray how they were grown or treated.
Evidence grade BScope: Derived from emerald (beryl) research; an approach reference only, not directly the identification features of jadeite.
Limits of this research
- Research status: Formation, occurrence or other material-specific findings found in authoritative sources
- The available sources do not document the specific preparation process of synthetic jadeite (growth method, feedstock, P-T conditions), so no manufacturing process is described.
- The sources provide no history, output, or market information for synthetic jadeite.
- The finding above that synthetic jadeite exists, based on CIBJO's listing and cited reference, does not verify the content of the cited General Electric synthetic jadeite study.
- The natural jadeite setting that is being imitated is described only in general terms; the sources consulted do not go into detail.
Methodology
- Origin determination and its limits
- Quality grading and value factors
- How gemmology became a technical discipline
Evidence grades
- A
- Standards bodies, government geological surveys, peer-reviewed research and museum records
- B
- Institutional educational material
- C
- Specialist databases or cautious readings
A statement is never graded above its strongest source.
This section is LumaLark's own factual restatement of public authoritative sources, credited item by item; it contains no verbatim excerpts, images or third-party logos.
DecideListing name, disclosure, care and treatments
- Suggested listing name
- Synthetic Jadeite jade (confirmed by evidence)
GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.4 “Synthetic Jadeite” · CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 4.3.3.1
This page cannot answer
Natural? · Origin · Price
A lab report settles these; this wiki covers naming and disclosure.
Related:What this page can answer
Answer at a glance
"Synthetic Jadeite" is a market name rather than a mineral species name; before using it, verify: Composition or process must be stated.
Evidence
- GB/T · Table A.4, row 合成翡翠 (Synthetic Jadeite)
What this means for you
Before buying, check the recommended listing name "Synthetic Jadeite jade (confirmed by evidence)" and any disclosed treatments on this page, and ask the seller for a grading report if in doubt.
Known uncertainty
- This entry's exact material identity is not fully settled.
- See “Disclosure and cautions” above
- Last reviewed
- 2026-09-01
Trade-name ruling
- Composition or process must be stated.
- Suggested listing name
- Synthetic Jadeite jade (confirmed by evidence)
VerifyNames, standards, technical facts, clauses and sources
Names
Standard and listing namesThe Chinese formal name for Synthetic Jadeite comes from GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.4; the suggested listing name is synthetic jadeite / synthetic jadeite jade (evidence confirmed). Names in four languagesNames are given in four languages: Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English (Synthetic Jadeite) and Japanese (meaning synthetic jadeite). Trade and mineralogical namesThe mineralogical name means man-made synthetic jadeite material that may be called this only where it meets the definition of a synthetic counterpart. Institution usageOn authority wording, the FTC text on file has no wording for this name (checked); GIA, CIBJO and Gem-A are unchecked, and the English name shown for bodies without a recorded wording does not represent their position. Japanese namesFor Japan's GSJ formal name, the entry's own Japanese name is shown, and Japan's GSJ wording for this name is not yet verified by this site.
- GSJ (Japan) formal name
- 合成ジェダイト (not yet checked for this body — the entry's own Japanese name is shown)
- Chinese formal name
- 合成翡翠 (GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.4)
- Mineralogical name
- Synthetic jadeite material only where it meets synthetic counterpart criteria
Four-language names
- 简体中文
- 合成翡翠
- 繁體中文
- 合成翡翠
- English
- Synthetic Jadeite
- 日本語
- 合成ジェダイト
See also: Misleading and prohibited trade names · Supplementary name index
Classification
- Origin
- Artificial products / Manufactured products
- Material domain
- Artificial products / Manufactured products
- Browsing family
- Synthetic gem products
- Identity tier
- Artificial product type
- Mineral chemical class
- Mixed / composition-dependent
- Construction or treatment status
- Synthetic product
What it is and how it's identified
The material facts for Synthetic Jadeite are registered from GB/T 16553—2017: composition NaAlSi2O6, which may contain Cr, Fe, Ca, Mg, Mn and other elements; structure crystalline aggregate, optical character anisotropic aggregate; Mohs hardness 6.5–7, cleavage none, density 3.31–3.37 g/cm³, refractive index 1.66, birefringence not measurable on an aggregate. The site notes that hardness alone is not enough to judge durability, and that the refractive index of 1.66 is a reading commonly obtained with the spot method, a common value rather than an absolute limit. Registered for the untreated state: pleochroism not measurable on an aggregate; weak bluish-white or white fluorescence under long-wave UV; moderate to strong greyish-green or light green fluorescence under short-wave UV; body colour mostly green to yellowish green; lustre vitreous. In the infrared spectrum, vibrations of Si-O and other groups produce characteristic bands in the mid-infrared region, and the bands formed by OH vibrations in the functional-group region differ from those of natural jadeite jade. The site also notes that the colours GB/T 16553—2017 lists for jadeite jade overlap with the body colours of Synthetic Jadeite.
Registered material facts
Each row carries its own source and check date and can be cited on its own; “—” means the cited source gives no value, not “none”.
Definition
Synthetic Jadeite — composition (chemistry): NaAlSi2O6;elements such as Cr,Fe,Ca,Mg and Mn may be contained.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.14 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Structure
Synthetic Jadeite — structure (overall): crystalline aggregate
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.14 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Durability
Synthetic Jadeite — Mohs hardness: 6.5–7
GB/T 16553—2017
Reference points on this site: Talc 1–3, Fluorite 4, Apatite 5–5.5, Orthoclase 6–6.5, Topaz 8, Diamond 10 (Source: GB/T 16553—2017); Gypsum 1.5–2, Calcite 3, Quartz 7 (Source: Handbook of Mineralogy); Corundum 9 (Source: GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide))
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- General note
- hardness only, not durability
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.14 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Jadeite — cleavage: none
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.14 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Physical properties
Synthetic Jadeite — density: 3.31–3.37 g/cm³
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.14 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Optical
Synthetic Jadeite — optic character: anisotropic aggregate
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.14 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Jadeite — refractive index: 1.66
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- Qualification
The clause we cite gives this as a value commonly read by the spot (distant-vision) method. It is a common value, not an absolute limit.
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.14 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Jadeite — birefringence: not measurable on an aggregate
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.14 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Jadeite — pleochroism: not measurable on an aggregate
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.14 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Jadeite — fluorescence (long-wave UV): weak, blue-white, white
GB/T 16553—2017
UV fluorescence (long-wave UV)blue-whitewhiteweakDots are illustrative colours built from the colour names, not measured values
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.14 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Jadeite — fluorescence (short-wave UV): moderate to strong, grey-green, light green
GB/T 16553—2017
UV fluorescence (short-wave UV)grey-greenlight greenmoderate–strongDots are illustrative colours built from the colour names, not measured values
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.14 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Jadeite — spectrum (UV-visible): three narrow absorption bands of unequal strength visible in the red region
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.14 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Jadeite — spectrum (infrared): Si-O and similar groups give the diagnostic mid-IR bands; natural fei cui and this synthetic material differ in the set of OH vibrational bands found in the functional-group region.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-22
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.14 (locator checked 2026-09-22)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-22
Synthetic Jadeite — magnification: mainly microcrystalline structure, locally, oriented parallel alignment, or a curled to wavy structure.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.14 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Jadeite — body colour: mostly green to yellow-green
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- Qualification
The colours GB/T 16553—2017 lists for Fei Cui / Jadeite Jade overlap with this entry: green (synthetic jadeite is mostly green to yellow-green).
- General note
- colour alone is not identity
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.14 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Quality factors
Synthetic Jadeite — quality factor (lustre): vitreous
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.14 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
This material (RI / SG midpoints): 1.66 / 3.34; Closest values: 1Artificial Strontium Aluminate Borate 1.665 / 3.39, 2Peridot 1.672 / 3.38, 3Kornerupine 1.673 / 3.31, 4Dioptase 1.681 / 3.3, 5Fei Cui / Jadeite Jade 1.683 / 3.35
Show the full chart (330 registered materials)
Outside the full chart's range, drawn as triangles at the edge (RI / SG midpoints): Hematite 3.045/5.12, Synthetic Rutile 2.76/4.26, Rutile 2.753/4.23, Synthetic Moissanite 2.67/3.22
Clause-level definitions
The clause-level definition for Synthetic Jadeite is based on GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A under the term Synthetic Jadeite, defined as synthetic jadeite material usable only where it meets the definition of a synthetic counterpart; the cross-check shows it is listed directly by GB/T, and CIBJO carries no standalone entry under the same name.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Term | Clause | Definition | Cross-check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic Jadeite | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A | Synthetic jadeite material only where it meets synthetic counterpart criteria | Listed directly by GB/T; CIBJO carries no standalone entry under the same name. |
Evidence and sources
Authority basis and clause sources
Sources
- CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation. Gemmological Laboratories Book (Blue Book), Gemmological Commission 2024-1.
- CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation. The Gemstone Book (Blue Book), 2022.
- SAMR / SAC (China). GB/T 16552—2017 Gems — Nomenclature.
- Federal Trade Commission (United States). In the Loupe: Advertising Diamond, Gemstones and Pearls.
Further reading
Related entries and topic cluster
Parent entry and related pages on this site. Rows marked “Planned” are suggested new content and have no link yet.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Page | Content | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Browsing family | Synthetic gem products | Live |
| Related articles | To be added (placeholder) | Planned |
Who maintains this page
The material facts in the Synthetic Jadeite entry are maintained by the LumaLark wiki and matched one by one to the standard clauses or institutional sources they cite: every fact carries its source (with a clause or page locator) and a check date, so it can be traced back to the original; clause-level definitions also carry a cross-check result. The entry exists so that buyers and sellers can check naming, disclosure and material facts item by item.