gems, jade, pyroxene jade, jadeite, fei cui, synthetic jadeite, synthetic fei cui, simulants, HPHT

This paper investigates the mechanism of synthetic jadeite production using the sol–gel technique. Optimal gelation factors such as metal alkoxide concentration, pH value, the amount of ionized water, and water-bath temperature were examined. Results from gemmological testing, polarizing microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and infrared spectroscopy indicate that the gemmological characteristics of the synthetic jadeite closely resemble those of natural jadeite. The main crystal phase of the synthetic material is jadeite, and the crystalline conversion of the sample is also excellent. Furthermore, the HTHP (high-temperature high-pressure) synthetic jadeite sample exhibits the same characteristic infrared absorption peaks as natural jadeite.