Identification of Bleached and Polymer-Impregnated Jadeite

Abstract

The "bleaching" treatment of uideite jade ha type of jadeite treatment, often referred to in the become prevalent in higher-as well as ade as "bleachmg" has become prominent in the 1990s quality material. "Bleaching" is actually a two-step process whereby a brown orgray color component (probably iron compounds filling the fractures) is removed chemically, followed b y impregnation of the resulting white to green material with some type of polymer. The treatment product is commonly referred to as "bleached jadeite" or "B jade" in the Orient. Although several gemological tests are useful in detecting this treatment, infrared spectroscopy is the only method found thus far that provides conclusive evidence of polymer impregnation in all cases.