Gem market
Jade Market
Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
Covered market of jade stalls at Kansu Street and Battery Street in Yau Ma Tei. Quality and treatment vary widely, so it is a place to look and learn rather than to buy important jadeite. Hong Kong's trade buying happens mainly at its March and September fairs.
Hong Kong's Jade Market is a covered hall of small stalls in Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, at the junction of Kansu Street and Battery Street. It moved to its current site in the 1980s and is a well-known stop for visitors, a short walk from the Temple Street night market.
What you find
Jade and jadeite carvings, bangles and pendants, beads, freshwater pearls, small gems and inexpensive jewellery. Quality ranges from fine pieces to imitations and heavily treated material.
How it works
Stalls open daily, roughly from mid-morning to late afternoon. Prices are rarely marked and bargaining is expected. It is a place to look, handle and learn rather than to buy important jadeite: Hong Kong's serious jade and gem trade happens in offices and at the big trade fairs in March and September.
Buying safely
- "A jade" is natural, untreated jadeite; "B jade" is bleached and polymer-impregnated; "C jade" is dyed. Treated and imitation material (glass, dyed quartz, other green stones) is common.
- For anything of value, buy with a report from a recognised laboratory; Hong Kong has several that test jadeite.
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