A Dilemma - When the Jade Looks Better than the Photo

Jade is one of the most difficult stones to photograph and list so it looks like the "real thing".   I am often asked why I don't "photo shop" edit with the Photo Shop program that removes the background so you can see the item more clearly.  I have certainly tried that, but the jade looks so "fake", too "perfect", and jade is stone, and looks natural.  (Of course, that's how sellers of fake or B and C grade jade promote their photos, then claim they didn't know it wasn't genuine and natural.)

This morning I went to my storage area where I keep jade that hasn't been listed.  It's cool and dark, the way jade is supposed to be stored.  I reached into a box and without looking at what was inside the wrappers, pulled out three Burmese jadeite bangle bracelets to photo.  The outdoor lighting was just right for taking photos to show the color, translucence and overall appearance of the jade, and I like to list new items on weekends.   When I opened the packets to see what was inside, I was so disappointed with how they appeared, so dull and bland.  The note on the box stated I purchased them in China near the Burma border directly from the jade carver in 2005, and had the price I paid (bargained for!) on each one.  Why would I buy such a bland and boring jade bangle bracelet?   Then I remembered that it was very warm near the Burma border, the sun was shining, and all the jade looked beautiful.  These three had been in cool storage for 14 years here. 

I didn't want to misplace them, as it is so easy for me to get distracted by other jades and start playing with them, too, so I put them on my wrist, got all the photo equipment, and went into the natural daylight photo studio.  It took me awhile to get things set up for the photos, and when I pulled out the first one to photo, I thought I had the wrong one.  It looked so beautiful and I saw a "glow", and soft lavender hues with the tiny green veins.  I knew then without a doubt it was the best quality "old mine lao pit" Burmese jadeite, grade A.  The jade qi and my body qi were already blending.  (Now I had to convince myself to sell it, not keep it and wear it!)

By the time I started listing it, it didn't look very much like the photo.  The photo didn't show the translucence, the variation in color as the "real thing".  The photos get taken mid-to-late mornings, so if the lighting is good later this week, it will get re-photographed.

JHBB3288 "Spirits in Heaven" Glowing Burmese Jadeite Bangle BraceletMuch more beautiful than this photo shows

JHBB3288-2 another view in natural daylight that doesn't show the translucence and "glow"

Unless someone purchases it while the 30% discount sale is still in progress!

Most of the time when customers receive their jade purchases, they contact me about how happy they are with their new jade, and how it looks so much more pretty than the photos.  Unfortunately, since the jade is one-of-a-kind, there isn't a program I can add for reviews, because when the product sells there aren't more just like it, as you see on most web sites that have reviews. 

So please do be surprised when you receive your new jade and it looks much nice than the photos!

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