A “misnomer” is an incorrect name. In the gemstone trade many misnomers have been given to materials that look like a more popular or more valuable material even though that name is incorrect. The use of a misnomer can be innocent or derogatory, but the intent is often to associate a product with one that is much more popular or more valuable. Even when done without deceptive intent, the practice can be confusing or misleading to many buyers.
An example of a jade misnomer is the use of the name “Mexican jade” for the green-dyed calcite or travertine that is commonly used to produce vases, chess pieces, desk sets and other ornamental objects. Use of the name by a seller in the presence of potential customers can be misunderstood or deceptive.
In July 2018, the Federal Trade Commission of the United States published a new edition of their Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries. In those guides they state that the use of an incorrect varietal name can be “misleading”, “unfair”, and “deceptive”. Today sellers who continue using these incorrect names could face legal action. For more information, see our article about “green amethyst” and “yellow emerald”. A few of the many jade misnomers are listed below.
- “African Jade” – a massive variety of green grossularite garnet found in the Transvaal Province of South Africa
- “Amazon Jade” – amazonite, a blue-green microcline feldspar
- “American Jade” – californite, a variety of vesuvianite
- “Bowenite Jade” – a variety of serpentine resembling nephrite
- “Garnet Jade” – a massive variety of green grossularite garnet
- “Honan Jade” – a name used for a variety of jade substitutes including jade in quartz, serpentine, soapstone
- “Mexican Jade” – green-dyed calcite or greenish travertine
- “Indian Jade” – aventurine quartz
- “Korean Jade” – a variety of jade look-alikes including glass, soapstone and serpentine
- “Manchurian Jade” – soapstone
- “Oregon Jade” – green jasper, green grossularite or other jade look-alikes found in Oregon
- “Serpentine Jade” – varieties of serpentine that look like jade
- “Soochow Jade” – name used for a variety of jade substitutes including jade in quartz, serpentine, soapstone
- “South African Jade” – green grossularite found in the Transvaal Province of South Africa
- “Transvaal Jade” – green grossularite found in the Transvaal Province of South Africa