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Subject:Real Calcification or Not
Posted By: Jack Sun, Sep 07, 2008 IP: 71.198.103.15

I bought this archer's ring that was a whitish/beige color. It looked like either ancient or fake calcification, I'm not sure, but there appears to be no pitting. I tried cleaning it off, but I haven't been too successful.

Now there are still white parts, though the ring looks mostly greenish black now. However, a translucent green is starting to show through.

Obviously without seeing the before shot it's hard to get an opinion, but what does the forum think, a new ring made to look old or an actual old ring?

Any thoughts on how to accelerate the removal of this film?

Thanks!







Subject:Re: Real Calcification or Not
Posted By: Anita Mui Mon, Sep 08, 2008

Dear Jack

I do not understand why the 1st picture have metalic lustre, but the other 2 pictures do not have.

Correct me if I am wrong, I noticed that the 1st picture show drilling marks on the surface which unlikely found on authentic jade thumb ring.

After careful observation, it looks like ancient glass instead of nephrite. Glass is hard, too. It may pass needle pecking. You may perform SG test to know what exactly it was made of.

And fakers can fake anything on jade.

Have fun
Anita

Subject:Re: Re: Real Calcification or Not
Posted By: Jack Fri, Sep 12, 2008

The metallic look can be attributed to the flash of the camera going off and making the area exposed in the middle look metallic. It is actually black and smooth there.

I will have to do a specific gravity test, but the hardness seems to be a five. Weight was 1.4 ounce = 39.6893324 gram.

Subject:Re: Real Calcification or Not
Posted By: Bill Tue, Sep 09, 2008

Calcification is artificial and can probably be washed off (but I advise against it).

It is unlikely that it was made of nephrite jade. It is simply too transparent. If it is made of jadeite (which can be that translucent) then there should never be such severe calcification found on it (due to its hardness and high S.G.). Therefore this piece is most likely made of serpentine with a low possibility of being made of jasper. A hardness test and a S.G. test will confirm the material.

Bill

Subject:Real Calcification or Not
Posted By: pipane Mon, Sep 08, 2008

Difficult to say, but surface alteration doesn't look natural, real antique surface calcification would take very long time to disappear.

Also this type (shape) of archer's ring correspond to recent period of time (Qing dynasty at most) therefore it shouldn't show much calcification...

Regards,

Subject:Re: Real Calcification or Not
Posted By: Anita Mui Tue, Sep 09, 2008

Dear Pipane

"This form of thumb ring called "K�e", initially attributed to the FORMER or WESTERN HAN(206-A.D. 25)." said Mr.Chen, Chinese art and archaeology, Gettysburg College, 300 North Washington Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325 USA

Have fun
Anita Mui

Subject:Re: Re: Real Calcification or Not
Posted By: Anita Mui Thu, Sep 11, 2008

Dear Pipane

Sorry, forgot the link.

This website is the best for jade authentication. I love it the most...read everyday.

Have fun
Anita Mui

URL Title :KUE / jade Gettysburge College Collections



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