Jade is no longer just an ancient Chinese treasure — it’s making waves 🌊 in Western markets too, and it’s bringing along a spicy debate about what we should even call it.
At the heart of the buzz is the term fei cui (FAY-choy), a Chinese name for jadeite that's gaining global traction. Some gem experts say it's time to embrace this traditional label over the outdated Western terminology.
In December 2023, the GIA dropped a gem of its own 💎— its jade reports now include a special section explaining jade types, and where relevant, note that “Fei Cui” covers jadeite, omphacite, and kosmochlor. That subtle shift sent ripples through the jade trade.
Mason-Kay, a top jade dealer, jumped in too, updating their reports to reflect this new wave 🌊. “It’s a big moment,” said Jordan Wentz of Mason-Kay. “We’re officially adopting new nomenclature in the American market.”
Leading gemologist Richard W. Hughes explained the shift isn’t a gimmick. In fact, he called out Western suspicion that fei cui is just marketing fluff from the East. “This isn’t a trick,” Hughes said. “The stone is the same. Only the label is evolving.”
Meanwhile, a surge of Guatemalan jade has lit up gem shows from Tucson to Bangkok. Designers are swooning over its translucent beauty—some pieces even rival Myanmar's imperial jade 👑
Get ready: jade is glowing up in the global spotlight—and it’s no longer just about what it is, but what we call it 🌱