Answers to the questions we're asked most often, with links through to the fuller guides in our Jade Knowledge library if you want to go deeper.
What's the difference between jade and jadeite?
"Jade" actually covers two different minerals: nephrite and jadeite. Jadeite is the rarer, harder stone capable of the vivid, saturated colours — including the "imperial green" most people picture — and it's the only kind we work with. Burmese jadeite, from Myanmar's Kachin region, is considered the finest in the world.
What does "Type A" mean, and why does it matter?
Type A means the jadeite is completely natural and untreated — no dye, no bleach, no polymer filling. Type B and C pieces have been chemically treated, which weakens the stone over time and never carries the same value. Every certified piece we sell is independently lab-tested as Type A.
How do I know my jade is genuine?
Certified pieces come with a lab report from an independent Chinese gem-testing lab, verifying the stone is natural Type A jadeite. You can also look up the certificate number yourself directly with the lab. Every piece, certified or handmade, is also backed by our own 100% money-back lifetime authenticity guarantee.
How can I tell if a piece of jade is real, without sending it to a lab?
No home test is definitive — a proper lab report is the only way to be certain — but a few things are worth knowing:
- Weight: genuine jadeite is dense. A piece that feels surprisingly light for its size is worth a second look.
- Temperature: real jade feels cool against the skin and takes a moment to warm up, unlike glass or plastic imitations, which warm quickly.
- Colour: natural jadeite rarely has perfectly even, uniform colour throughout — look for subtle natural variation. Colour that looks unnaturally uniform or overly vivid can be a sign of dye.
- Sound: two genuine jadeite pieces tapped gently together produce a clear, almost musical ring; imitations tend to sound duller.
- Price: if a "Burmese jadeite" piece is priced far below what the quality shown would normally cost, treat that as a red flag.
The one truly reliable method is independent lab certification — which is exactly what our certified pieces include, and why we back every piece, certified or not, with our 100% money-back lifetime authenticity guarantee.
Why do some pieces come with a certificate and others don't?
Our handmade-in-Australia pieces are assembled here from genuine Burmese jadeite, but because they're not sent back through a formal lab process, they don't carry a certificate. They're held to the exact same Type A sourcing standard as our certified pieces — the difference is paperwork, not quality.
Why do two similar-looking jade pieces cost such different prices?
Colour saturation, translucency ("water"), texture, and how evenly those qualities run through the whole piece all move the price — often more than size does. Two bangles of the same size can be worlds apart in value once you factor in how clean, even and translucent the stone is.
Where does your jade come from?
All of our jadeite is natural Burmese jadeite, mined in Myanmar's Kachin region — the source of the world's finest jadeite — before being cut, carved or beaded and lab-tested.
How do I care for my jade?
Jade is durable but not indestructible: avoid harsh chemicals and perfumes, take it off before swimming or showering, and store pieces separately so they don't scratch each other. A soft cloth is all you need for everyday cleaning.
How do I find my bangle or ring size?
Bangles are sized by inner diameter and, unlike rings, can't be resized — so getting it right matters. Our guide walks you through measuring your hand or an existing bangle/ring at home in a few minutes.
What should I look for when buying jade as a gift?
Think about who it's for and what you're wishing for them — different carved motifs (like a Buddha, Guanyin or ping an kou) carry different traditional meanings. Occasion, the recipient's colour preferences, and whether they'd prefer a certified or handmade piece are all worth weighing up.
What's your returns and exchange policy?
You have 15 days from receiving your item to request a return, exchange or refund. The item must be unworn, with tags, in its original packaging, and we ask that you video yourself unboxing your order in case any issue comes up. A 15% restocking fee applies to returns and refunds; exchanges for store credit carry a smaller 5% fee, and that credit is valid for 3 years. For hygiene reasons, earrings can't be returned or exchanged, and custom or special-order pieces and sale items are also final.
If anything arrives damaged, defective, or not what you ordered, contact us straight away — that's covered separately from the standard return window. This sits alongside, and never limits, your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.
Can I buy on layby?
Yes — LayBy is available on every piece in our store. Choose LayBy at checkout (or tap Buy now on LayBy on any product page), pay a deposit of 20–50%, and the balance is charged automatically in up to 6 fortnightly or monthly instalments. No interest and no credit checks; a one-off 5% service fee is added to your first payment.
Your piece is reserved for you from the moment you pay your deposit and ships once it's paid in full. You can track payments, pay early or update your card anytime from your LayBy portal. Cancellations and missed payments are covered in our Layby Policy.
Still have a question we haven't covered? Get in touch and we're happy to help.