No home test can replace a qualified laboratory report. You can still reduce risk by asking precise questions, studying the surface in neutral light, and refusing descriptions that avoid treatment disclosure.
Start with disclosure, not a scratch test
Do not scratch jade with glass, a knife, or another object. Nephrite is commonly about 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, so a careless test can leave a mark while still telling you nothing reliable about dye or polymer. Ask whether the stone has been dyed, bleached, impregnated with polymer, waxed, repaired, or assembled from multiple pieces.
- Request the seller's written treatment statement.
- Ask whether the statement applies to the exact bangle shown.
- For an expensive purchase, request an independent report from a recognised gemological laboratory.
What to look for in photographs
Use photographs as clues, not proof. Very uniform colour, colour concentrated in cracks, an unnaturally glassy surface, or vague stock images are reasons to ask more questions. Natural nephrite can still be smooth, bright, and attractive after careful polishing.
- Request unfiltered daylight images from several angles.
- Ask for a rotating video that shows the full circumference.
- Compare the texture of the inner ring, outer face, and carved details.
What a useful report should say
A report should identify the material and state whether detectable treatment is present. It should carry a report number that can be checked with the issuing laboratory. Origin claims may require separate evidence; material identification and geographic origin are not the same conclusion.
- Laboratory name and report number.
- Material identification, such as nephrite.
- Treatment conclusion and any limitations.
- A description or photograph that matches the exact item.
Make the decision proportionate to the price
For a modest purchase, clear disclosure and return terms may be sufficient. For a rare or expensive bangle, budget for independent verification before final payment. A trustworthy seller will explain what has been tested, what remains an opinion, and how a dispute would be handled.