The facts
What lavender Jadeite actually is
Lavender Jadeite is classified as jadeite (pyroxene group), with the composition NaAlSi₂O₆. It crystallises in the monoclinic (aggregate) system.
Colour comes from natural lavender is attributed to Fe³⁺ and Mn³⁺; the mechanism is not fully settled, which is also what a laboratory looks at when it is asked whether a colour is natural.
Refractive index 1.652–1.688 (spot ~1.66). Specific gravity around 3.30–3.38. Cleavage: not seen in aggregate. Those three numbers separate it from most of what imitates it.
Where lavender Jadeite comes from
Lavender Jadeite is produced at Hpakant, Kachin State, Myanmar.
That is the whole list. A single source makes supply fragile and makes any claim of a second origin worth questioning.
How lavender Jadeite is treated
Dyeing to lavender is extremely common and the dyes are often fugitive, fading within a few years. Natural lavender shows an orange fluorescence pattern that differs from dyed; laboratory confirmation is normal practice for anything of value.
Treatment changes value, sometimes by a multiple, so it belongs in the description before the price and not after the sale.
What lavender Jadeite is confused with
In the trade lavender Jadeite is most often mistaken for, or substituted by, Dyed jadeite, Lavender quartzite, Sugilite, Dyed serpentine or Purple glass.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.652–1.688 (spot ~1.66) and specific gravity 3.30–3.38 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What lavender Jadeite is used for
Demand for lavender Jadeite comes from jewellery, carving and sculpture, decorative objects and mineral collecting, which is why one price per carat never covers it.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat, by the block or by the piece.
Durability and care
Lavender Jadeite is 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale, with not seen in aggregate cleavage.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What lavender Jadeite costs
As a guide, lavender Jadeite trades around $5–2,000/ct depending on saturation and translucency.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is lavender Jadeite treated, and how?
Dyeing to lavender is extremely common and the dyes are often fugitive, fading within a few years. Natural lavender shows an orange fluorescence pattern that differs from dyed; laboratory confirmation is normal practice for anything of value.
Where does lavender Jadeite come from?
Hpakant, Kachin State, Myanmar. That is the only commercial source.
Is lavender Jadeite hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does lavender Jadeite cost?
Indicatively $5–2,000/ct depending on saturation and translucency. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is lavender Jadeite confused with?
Most often Dyed jadeite, Lavender quartzite, Sugilite, Dyed serpentine and Purple glass. A refractive index of 1.652–1.688 (spot ~1.66) and a specific gravity near 3.30–3.38 separate it quickly.
What is lavender Jadeite used for besides jewellery?
carving and sculpture, decorative objects and mineral collecting. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for lavender jadeite?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
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