A Sliver of Light Before the Storm

Peace.

It would seem that the prices for mid-range (quality) jadeite have been on a declining trend - about 30% less as compared to previous highs (in 2010/11). That positive trend - for small-time jadeite enthusiasts - will not be maintained for long as a worse tragedy is in progression around the area where jadeite is mined. Clashes between the Kachin Army and Myanmar Army will certainly herald not only higher jadeite prices, but extreme hardship for some of Burma`s peoples, and in particular the minority communities in the region.


May reconciliation, peace and prosperity be a future for the peoples of Burma.

Jadeite Bloggers Ahoy!

Peace.

I came across two very valuable blogs for jadeite jade in recent days and would like to share them with whomever is interested (and for my own reference).

Since both blogger have a foot in the jade trade, they would be a great source of helpful information. jadeitejade.com is especially relevant as the blogger is an experienced jade trader. The other could be accessed here.


On another note, I heard from a Burmese jade trader friend recently, and he recounted this tale to me:
They sold a raw piece of about 6 kg of highly-translucent lavender for 19 million Euros (reserve price of 58,000 Euros).

As anybody could deduce, that was a mind-boggling price for a very small piece of raw material. The speculatory buying which the mainland Chinese are engaging in now doesn`t portend well, I think. That said, top-quality jadeite will always be valuable due to its scarcity, but at the rate the prices have been ballooning (even for less than top-quality specimens)? I think the Chinese are just spoiling the market if this continues at the rate this has been going. Still, I assume the nouveau riche in China don`t mind the prices, even if I am not sure about the rest of us.

Thank you.

Jadeite Market Heating Up

While jadeite has always held an exalted position amongst other gemstones within the Chinese psyche, in recent years, jadeite has garnered even more attention - mainly as a result of the growing middle-class and newly rich in China. Even the younger generation of Chinese have started to view jade as more than their grandmother or mother`s jewellery. As a result, jadeite prices have increased exponentially within the last decade, and the prices of raw material is also reflected in this trend.

Anecdotal evidence has cash-flushed property developers financing jade merchants, and indirectly ballooning the already sky-high prices even more.

For a look at the prices for raw materials, take a look at this news report.