Last Updated: Sep 2008

Gemstones

My apologies for the lack of photos for this section. Please contact me directly about the gemstones you are interested in. I currently have some top quality Tanzanite, Sapphire, Ruby, Spinel and Jadeite - some in large sizes!

Although my specialty is fine gemstones, I do have a large number of gemstones in my personal collection which I am currently clearing out. They include opal, pearl, colored diamond, rock crystal, amethyst, spinel, sapphire, ruby, chalcedony, fluorite and many more. Most are commercial quality and are very affordable, especially for jewelry or new collectors. Many of these were part of my personal sample stones during the years when I used be a gemology lecturer. If you are looking for crystals (e.g. hexagonal bipyramids, bipyramids, trapiches), particular inclusions (e.g. zebra stripes in amethyst, spinels crystals in spinels, hematite flakes in sapphire, 3-phase in emerald), or other special varieties, drop me an email. I may just have what you are looking for!

Jades

Yellow Nephrite Jade Bangle NEW!
Jade Quality: Commercial
Description: Light yellow with a dark yellow patch
My Opinion: The jade is of a higher commercial quality. It has a good polish, luster and translucency. Its texture is good. The unique feature of this bangle is its warm and subtle yellow hue. Please note that this bangle is on the small side as its inner diameter is about 55mm.
Measurements: Inner Diameter 55mm / Outer Diameter 75mm / Width 10mm
Price: US$808 RESERVED

Carved White Nephrite Jade Bangle (Demon Taotie & Clouds) NEW!
Jade Quality: Commercial to Good
Description: Very white color. Has translucence despite its thickness. Texture is average with some clouds visible.
My Opinion: This bangle has good weight and is perfect for those who like theirs chunky. There's nothing dainty about this piece and I believe it will withstand wear well. It is well-carved in an alternating cirrus and "taotie" demon pattern symbolizing sky and protection from avarice.
Measurements: Inner Diameter 58mm / Outer Diameter 78mm / Width 19mm
Price: US$1998

Carved White Nephrite Jade Paizi Pendant (Phoenix) NEW!
Jade Quality: Commercial to Good
Description: Warm white color. Translucent with an average texture and polish.
My Opinion: This charming pendant has a gorgeous silhouette as it comes fully carved instead of in the usual rectangular shape. The carving quality is very good. It features pairs mythical phoenixes and birds. Very auspicious! Traditionally worn on the hip, this paizi can be mounted to hang from the neck as a conventional pendant.
Measurements: Length 58mm / Width 38mm / Thickness 8mm
Price: US$1668

Carved White Nephrite Jade Paizi Pendant (Tiger) NEW!
Jade Quality: Commercial to Good
Description: Warm white with a tinge of green. Translucent with an above average texture and polish.
My Opinion: This is a very well-carved pendant that shows a prowling tiger against a backdrop of mist, rock and vegetation on the front. Two dragons frame the top of the paizi. Behind, a delicate immortal fungus (linzhi) takes centrestage. It represents the "ruyi" which means "whatever you wish for will come true". In chinese characters, it says "HuSuiDaJi" which means The tiger age is good luck ". I believe paizi was made in celebration of someone's "tiger" birthday. It represents a certain age in China, most certainly someone well advanced in years. Great as a retirement gift. Traditionally worn on the hip, this paizi can be mounted to hang from the neck as a conventional pendant.
Measurements: Length 60mm / Width 39mm / Thickness 8mm
Price: US$686

Carved Green Nephrite Jade Bangle (Bamboo)
Jade Quality: Commercial
Description: Green with dark patches and some mottling.
My Opinion: The jade is not of fine quality, but what is special about this is how the craftsman uses the natural color and characteristic texture of the raw material to carve it into the likeness of bamboo. A playful, edgy piece of art.
Measurements: Inner Diameter 63mm / Outer Diameter 79mm / Width 8mm
Price: US$85

Pair of Carved White Nephrite Jade Bangles (Bamboo)
Jade Quality: Very Fine
Description: Very white color. Lustrous and luminescent with a gorgeous polish. Good texure and translucency. Exquisitely carved to look like bamboo.
My opinion: A pair is very rare. A pair of this quality is very, very rare! Also, sizes above 56mm are uncommon in China. At 59mm, this pair would fit most people. I would recommend this to anyone who loves jade or collects quality pieces.
Measurements: Inner Diameter 59mm / Outer Diameter 78mm / Width 9mm
Price: US$10,900 (Note: This was sold to a client in Jan 2007. The client has put it up for sale once again. As this was in the client's display collection, it was never worn.) RESERVED

Plain White Nephrite Bangle
Jade Quality: Fine to Very Fine.
Description: Very white color. Extremely pure. Very, very good polishing. Round and balanced bangle.
My opinion: In general, the luster of nephrite tends to be more muted than jadeite. However, this bangle has such a magnificent polish that many have mistaken it for jadeite jade. It's very white with a very small area of "lychee" white which gives it a sweet character. This comes with a AIGS Gem Identification Report.
Measurements: Inner Diameter 58mm / Outer Diameter 78mm / Width 10mm
US$9889 (Note: This was sold to a client in Jan 2007. The client has put it up for sale once again. As this was in the client's display collection, it was never worn.) RESERVED

Carved Yellow Nephrite Bangle (Demon Taotie & Clouds)
Jade Quality: Good
Description: This particular shade of jade is called "Huang Yu" or "yellow jade". In real color terms, it is more a yellowish-green. Carved intricately in an alternating cirrus and "taotie" demon pattern symbolizing sky and protection from avarice.
Measurements: Inner Diameter 61mm / Outer Diameter 80mm / Width 15mm
My opinion: This is nice and chunky! A good buy because yellows are hard-to-find and the price on this one is very attractive.
Price: US$250 SOLD!

Carved White & Orange Nephrite Bangle (Corkscrew)
Jade Quality: Commercial
Description: White with Orange coloration.Good polish on a fair carving.
My opinion: I like the traditional corkscrew design. Personally, I think it's the orange coloring that makes this bangle a unique, artistic piece with a lot of character.
Measurements: Inner Diameter 56mm / Outer Diameter 76mm / Width 10mm
US$300 SOLD!

Pair of Drop-shaped Jadeite
Jade Quality: Commercial
Description: Bright green jadeite with veining and mottling. A perfectly matched pair of drops.
My opinion: The jade texture looks a tad dry in some spots, but the lovely apple green color makes up for it. As always, matched pairs are hard-to-find. This pair will make very attractive drop earrings.
Measurements: Length 20mm / Widest point 8mm / Narrowest point 4mm
Price: US$150

Please email me if you would like to purchase any of the above items. I accept payment by Bank Transfers and Paypal only. Thanks! * I have removed the automated checkout system as not all items may be available at time of viewing. Questions? Email me at leach at leachdesigns dot com