Orchid Jade Factory, Chiang Mai

Orchid Jade Factory , Chiang Mai

7/7 Srivichai Road, Chiang Mai 50200

Contact: +66 81 617 2116 Patrick

Open Hours: 9a-7p M-Su

Description

If you are interested in learning about jade stones or buying jewelry made from jade, this is certainly the place to visit. First, you will watch a video on jades from around the world and the process of turning them into jewelry and other products. After that, observe actual on-site production by Thai craftspeople. A guide can explain how to tell jade from its imitations. There is also a mini museum where some antique jades are displayed. Lastly, it is shopping time, choose from a variety of beautifully-crafted products in the extensive collection.

How to go there:  Call Patrick  081 617 2116,  since shop located on the number 8th highest peak of Thailand about 1500 meter above sea level and just opposite to the most Chiang Mai Attraction "Golden Temple" Doi Suthep...2nd Attraction is a Mhong Hill Tribe which they have been lived there for over 1000 year...3rd attraction is King Winter Palace, Bhuping Palace which you could breeze taking walking around the Palace about  2.2 kms, along the routing you would listening to a music which mostly composed by the King of Thailand but some area just listening to birding singing and a dancing fountain with music...1) Orchid Jade+Golden temple = 1000 Baht per car (3-4 Person)...2) Orchid+Golden Temple+Palace 1200 Baht per car (3f-4 Person) or 3) Orchid+Golden Temple+Palace+Mhong Hilltribe 1500 Baht per car (3f-4 Person)

Jade                            "Stone of Heaven"                       (Abridged from Gemological Institute of America Graduate Gemologist Guide's Jade)
Jade--the precious gem known as the "stone of heaven"-- has been cherished for millennia.  It's considered pure 
and enduring enough to inspire the wearer's highest spiritual aspirations, yet sensuous and luxurious enough 
to satisfy down-to-earth cravings.
Modern gemologists use the word "jade" as a generic term for two distinct mineral aggregates--jadeite and 
nephrite.  Soft enough to carve, tough enough to withstand repeated hummer blows, the two minerals look and 
feel very similar.  But their chemical compositions are different, and gemologists classify them as separate 
species.                              There are two types of jade~ jadeite and nephrite.Jadeite's exceptional look and feel, combined with its intimate association with Asian culture and tradition, 
make it unlike any other gem.  Not surprisingly, the trade uses slightly different standards to judge jadeite than 
it does to judge transparent colored stones of comparable value, like ruby, sapphire, and emerald.  Jadeite’s 
three most important qualities, in order of their impact on its market value, are color, transparency, and texture.Jadeite’s three most important qualities are color,transparency, and texture.Color is jadeite’s most important value factor.  Because consumers traditionally associate jadeite with the color 
green, it surprises some people to learn that it comes in other color as well—lavender, red, orange, yellow, 
brown, white, black and gray.  All of these colors can be attractive.  But jadeite’s most desirable color is, in fact, a 
very specific shade of green.  Compared to fine emerald, top-quality jadeite is often slightly more yellow in hue 
and slightly less saturated.  The color is medium in tone, not too light or too dark.  This pure, bright color is 
renowned Imperial green hue, which comes from chromium, the same element that causes the green in some 
emeralds.
Imperial Jadeite is rare.  Other shades of green jadeite are more common.  In order of market value, these 
include yellowish greens—sometimes called grassy greens or apple greens—grayish greens, and blackish 
greens.  In general, darker tones are more valuable than lighter tones.
Lavender is jadeite’s second most valued color.  This light purple hue is most prized when it’s highly saturated.  
Lavenders that are pale or that look too blue are lower in value.   Lavender jadeite attracts buyers uniquely 
interested in its unusual color.Jadeite comes in a variety of colors such as green, red, orange and brown but the most 
desirable color is a special shade of green called Imperial Green: The second most valued 
color is lavender.

Jadeite’s transparency ranges from completely opaque to semi-transparent.  The best jadeite is semi-
transparent.  Because light penetrates below the surface, semi-transparent jadeite has an alluring brilliance.  It 
almost appears to glow, increasing the charm of a lush green or rich lavender hue.
Jadeite has a smooth, even texture that makes people want to touch and hold it.  Jadeite’s texture can be fine, 
medium, or coarse, depending on variations in crystal size and hardness.  The same crystal structure that 
contributes to jadeite’s texture also contributes to its exceptional toughness.  Jadeite’s interlocking crystals 
produce a tightly intergrown, compact mass that bonds together and resists breaking.
Because the right combinations of color, transparency, and texture can raise the value of jadeite to spectacular 
levels, many producers use treatments to improve jadeite’s appearance.  Treatments have aroused a great deal of 
concern in the industry and therefore the trade grouped jadeite into three basic types: Type A, Type B, and Type 
C.  Type A jadeite is natural jadeite.  Type B jadeite is natural jadeite that’s bleached in acid to remove 
undesirable staining, then impregnated with wax or polymers.  Type C jadeite takes the treatment a step further 
by introducing dye.  Type C is often dyed Type B jadeite.
Nephrite, for century, was the only jade known to the Orient.  More than any other property, nephrite and 
jadeite share exceptional toughness.  But the two materials derive their toughness from slightly different 
structures.  While jadeite’s structure is an arrangement of grainy crystals, nephrite is made up of fibrous 
crystals that interlock in a matted, tufted texture.  These densely packed and interwoven fibers are extremely 
resistant to fracturing, even more so than jadeite’s interlocking grains. Though different in crystal structure, jadeite and nephrite share exceptional toughness.While both materials are known as jade, there are some very important differences between them.  Jadeite is 
much more rare than nephrite, so it commands a much higher price.  Another different is color.  Jadeite’s finest 
green is not seen in nephrite.  Instead, nephrite’s greens are more subdued, darker, and less saturated.  
Nephrite’s beautiful, earthy colors, combined with its toughness, make it ideal for carving.  From dynasty to 
dynasty over thousands of years, Asian nephrite carvings have delighted the imagination as well as the eyes.
Currently, there’s no commercially available synthetic jadeite.  But there are some cleverly crafted assembled 
stones that allow inferior jadeite to masquerade as top quality.  Some assemblies use jadeite as a component, 
while others are made or plastic or glass.  In addition, jade substitutes such as maw-sit-sit, serpentine, and 
chrysophrase chalcedony are also common in the market.  Therefore, extra caution is recommended before 
purchasing jade.
Orchid Jade does not tolerate any type of treatment on jade.  All our jadeite jewelry are Type 
A and thus we can guarantee that they are of the highest quality.   In addition, our jewelry are 
exclusively made, which means most, if not all, are handcrafted.  We firmly believe in crafting 
the finest jewelry that will help reflect the unique personality and style of each of our 
customer.

Orchid Jade, the jade specialist, was founded in 1981 in Chiangmai, 
Thailand by Preecha and Waranan Pongcharoenkul.  For more than 
twenty years, Orchid Jade has maintained a reputation for value, 
quality and service.  We feature exclusive collection of jadiete and 
colored stones jewelry as well as magnificent pieces of nephrite 
carvings.
Orchid Jade is a member of many pretigous organizations such as 
Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association (since 1990) and was 
recognized internationally (The New York Times, November 1987).   
In addition to our specialised managing team with Graduate Diamond, 
Graduate Colored Stoned and Graduate Gemologist Diplomas from 
the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Orchid Jade employs over 
70  experienced staff.  We constantly encourages our employees to 
participate in educational programs to enhance their understanding 
in the jewelry industry and customer service.
Orchid Jade takes great pride in providing its customers with the 
strongest guarantees as well as the best value and service in the retail 
jewelry industry.

"If you are interested in learning about jade or purchasing 
jewelry made from jade, Orchid Jade is certainly a place to 
visit. First, we will show you a video on jades from around the 
world and the process of turning them into exclusive jewelry 
pieces. After that, we will take you through our  on-site factory 
where over 30 Thai craftpeople work on jewelry and carving 
productions. In addition, we will illustrate simple techniques 
on how to tell jade from its imitations. We also have a mini 
museum featuring antique jade collections from around the 
world. Lastly, it is shopping time--choose from a variety of 
beautifully-crafted products from our extensive collection."- Preecha Pongcharoenkul, G.G., Orchid Jade Founder