翡翠入門

冰種同玻璃種有咩分別？

Ice vs. Glass Jadeite: What's the Difference?

2025年1月15日 · 3 分鐘

好多新手買翡翠都會搞混冰種同玻璃種，今次我哋用最簡單嘅方法幫你分清楚，唔再俾人呃。

翡翠嘅種水係評定翡翠質素嘅最重要指標之一。種水越高，翡翠越通透，價值亦越高。好多新手入門時最容易搞混嘅，就係「冰種」同「玻璃種」。

咩係「種水」？

「種」係指翡翠晶體結構嘅緊密程度。晶體越細、排列越緊密，翡翠就越通透，種水就越高。由高至低大致分為：玻璃種 → 冰種 → 糯冰種 → 糯種 → 豆種。

翡翠種水對比圖 — 翡翠種水由高至低對比圖——從玻璃種（最通透）到豆種（不透明），視覺差異一目了然

玻璃種

玻璃種係翡翠種水中最高嘅一級，通透度極高，幾乎如玻璃一樣透明。優質玻璃種翡翠會有「起螢光」嘅效果，即係喺光線下會發出柔和嘅螢光，令翡翠看起來有種內在光芒。

通透度最高，幾乎完全透明
有螢光效果（高質素者）
晶體結構極細緻，肉眼看不到顆粒
價格最高，市場上較為稀少

冰種

冰種係僅次於玻璃種嘅高質素翡翠，通透度高，如冰塊一樣，但比玻璃種略帶朦朧感。性價比較玻璃種高，係市場上非常受歡迎嘅選擇。

通透度高，如冰塊般清透
略帶朦朧感，非完全透明
性價比較玻璃種高
市場上較為常見，選擇多

翡翠種水分類圖 — 翡翠種水分類詳細圖解——從玻璃種到豆種，每個等級的特徵與外觀描述

點樣分辨？

最簡單嘅方法係對著光源觀察。玻璃種幾乎完全透光，冰種則透光但帶輕微朦朧。用手電筒照射，玻璃種光線穿透力更強。另外，玻璃種摸落去質感更滑，而且重量感更強。

💡 小貼士：如果你唔確定手上嘅翡翠係咩種水，歡迎帶嚟俾我哋鑑定，或者喺 WhatsApp 傳相俾我哋！

References

GIA — Jadeite Jade Quality Factors — 國際寶石學院（GIA）對翡翠透明度與質素嘅官方說明
GIA — Jade Description — GIA 翡翠礦物學、成因及種類介紹

English Version

Ice vs. Glass Jadeite: What's the Difference?

Texture (種/zhǒng) is one of the most important quality factors in evaluating jadeite. The higher the texture grade, the more translucent the stone — and the higher its value. For beginners, the most common source of confusion is telling apart Ice-type (冰種) and Glass-type (玻璃種) jadeite.

What Is 'Texture' (種水)?

'Texture' (種) refers to how tightly packed the jadeite's crystal structure is. The finer and more densely interlocked the crystals, the more translucent the stone and the higher its texture grade. From highest to lowest: Glass-type → Ice-type → Icy-Glutinous → Glutinous → Bean-type.

Jadeite texture grade comparison — Jadeite texture comparison from highest to lowest — from Glass-type (most translucent) to Bean-type (opaque), the visual difference is immediately apparent

Glass-Type Jadeite (玻璃種)

Glass-type is the highest texture grade in jadeite. Its translucency is extreme — almost as clear as glass. Fine-quality Glass-type jadeite exhibits a phenomenon called 'fluorescence glow' (起螢光): under light, the stone emits a soft, luminous inner radiance.

Highest translucency — nearly fully transparent
Exhibits fluorescence glow in fine specimens
Crystal structure is so fine it is invisible to the naked eye
Commands the highest prices; relatively rare on the market

Ice-Type Jadeite (冰種)

Ice-type ranks just below Glass-type. It is highly translucent — like a block of ice — but carries a slight haziness compared to Glass-type. It offers better value for money than Glass-type and is one of the most popular choices on the market.

High translucency, clear like ice
Slight haziness — not fully transparent
Better value-for-money than Glass-type
Widely available with many options

Jadeite texture classification chart — Detailed jadeite texture classification chart — characteristics and appearance descriptions for each grade from Glass-type to Bean-type

How to Tell Them Apart

The simplest method is to hold the stone up to a light source. Glass-type transmits light almost completely; Ice-type transmits light but with a slight haze. Using a torch, Glass-type allows stronger light penetration. Glass-type also feels smoother to the touch and has a greater sense of density.

💡 Tip: Not sure what texture grade your jadeite is? Bring it in for us to assess, or send us a photo on WhatsApp!

References

GIA — Jadeite Jade Quality Factors — GIA's official explanation of jadeite translucency and quality
GIA — Jade Description — GIA introduction to jadeite mineralogy, origin, and varieties