Jade Hunting, How to "Identify" and "Test" Jade!
Dan Hurd・20 minutes read
Dan searches for jade after losing his gold pan on a windy day, showcasing various identification methods and testing tools to differentiate between jade, serpentine, and ultra mafic rocks, emphasizing the value of jade over gold and the importance of thorough testing before selling.
Insights
- Identifying jade involves testing for translucency, hardness, and specific gravity to distinguish it from serpentine and ultra mafic rocks, with light passing through green rock indicating high-quality jade.
- Dan emphasizes the importance of thorough testing processes, including hardness assessments and specific gravity tests, to confirm the presence of jade and differentiate it from similar-looking rocks like serpentine, showcasing the meticulous and detailed nature of identifying valuable minerals.
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Recent questions
How does Dan identify jade and other rocks?
Dan identifies jade and other rocks by examining their translucency, hardness, and specific gravity. He explains that light passing through green rock indicates high-quality jade, while the lack of light suggests ultra mafic or serpentine. Dan also uses a hardness testing kit with scribes ranging from three to nine, where serpentine is always softer than six and jade is always harder than six. Additionally, he conducts a specific gravity test by dividing the weight of the stone by its volume in water to distinguish between serpentine (around 2.5) and jade (around 3).
What is the value of jade compared to gold?
Dan discusses the value of jade over gold during his hunt. He explains that jade holds significant value, especially high-quality jade, which can be more valuable than gold. Dan mentions his process of selling jade and the demand for this precious stone in the market. Despite losing his gold pan in the river, Dan seems more focused on finding and selling jade due to its perceived higher value.
How does Dan test rocks for jade authenticity?
Dan tests rocks for jade authenticity by conducting various tests. He explains that testing for jade involves cutting the rock, examining its translucency, checking its hardness using a hardness testing kit, and conducting a specific gravity test. By following these testing methods, Dan can differentiate between jade, serpentine, and ultra mafic rocks. He emphasizes the importance of these tests to confirm if the rocks he found are indeed jade.
What are the characteristics of high-quality jade?
High-quality jade is characterized by its translucency, hardness, and specific gravity. Dan showcases a beautiful, translucent piece of jade with a smooth surface during his hunt. He explains that light passing through green rock indicates high-quality jade, while the lack of light suggests other rocks like ultra mafic or serpentine. Additionally, using a hardness testing kit and conducting a specific gravity test can help determine the quality of jade based on its hardness and density.
How does Dan differentiate between jade and serpentine rocks?
Dan differentiates between jade and serpentine rocks by conducting specific tests. He explains that serpentine is always softer than six on the hardness scale, while jade is always harder than six. Additionally, Dan uses a specific gravity test to distinguish between serpentine (around 2.5) and jade (around 3) based on their densities. By testing the hardness and specific gravity of the rocks he finds, Dan can accurately identify whether they are jade or serpentine.
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Summary
00:00
"Dan hunts for jade after losing gold"
- Dan is out on a cold, windy day looking for jade after gold panning on his claim.
- He lost his gold pan in the river due to strong winds.
- Dan plans to show how to identify jade, serpentine, and ultra mafic rocks.
- Nephrite is another name for jade, with black nephrite being common in the Fraser River.
- Dan finds various rocks, some potentially jade, and explains the difficulty in identifying them.
- He showcases a beautiful, translucent piece of jade with a smooth surface.
- Dan licks rocks to test for translucency and explains the sound jade makes when hit.
- He discusses the value of jade over gold and his process of selling it.
- Dan finds several pieces of jade, including some too large to carry.
- After a successful hunt, Dan plans to test the rocks to confirm if they are jade.
15:55
Identifying Jade: Light, Hardness, Specific Gravity Tests
- Light passing through green rock indicates high quality jade, while lack of light suggests ultra mafic or serpentine.
- Testing hardness using a hardness testing kit with scribes ranging from three to nine, with serpentine always softer than six and jade always harder than six.
- Specific gravity test distinguishes between serpentine (around 2.5) and jade (around 3), with measurements taken by dividing the weight of the stone by its volume in water.
- Model jade, with inclusions of other minerals, may have a lower density due to the presence of lighter minerals like serpentine.
- Testing for jade involves cutting, examining translucency, checking hardness, and conducting a specific gravity test to differentiate between jade, serpentine, and ultra mafic rocks.
