Jadeite colour language is more precise than everyday colour words. Full green, floating green and spring colour do not just describe a shade - each one describes how the colour sits in the stone. Learning the difference stops you comparing apples with oranges.
Full green (满绿)
Full green means the colour covers the piece evenly and completely, with no obvious empty patches and no large colourless areas. It is the look most people picture for a classic jadeite bangle. Because even, complete colour is uncommon, full green commands a clear premium when the colour is also deep and lively.
Check full green carefully in photographs: look for pale patches at the edges of a bangle or inside a bracelet bead, because those change how the colour reads on the wrist.
Floating green (飘绿)
Floating green describes colour that drifts through a lighter base in soft patches, streaks or clouds, like paint spreading in water. The colour is real and natural, but it does not cover the whole stone. Floating green material is usually more affordable than full green of similar tone, and many buyers prefer its softer, more artistic look.
Do not confuse floating green with poor quality. A clear, bright base with well-placed drifting colour can be every bit as attractive as solid green - it simply suits a different taste and budget.
Spring colour (春带彩)
Spring colour is the trade name for lavender and green appearing together in one stone. Both colours occur naturally in jadeite, but they rarely share one piece, so spring material is genuinely uncommon. The balance between the two colours changes the character of the bangle: some pieces read mostly green, others mostly lavender.
Spring colour has a strong following for gifts, because the two tones together are seen as lively and auspicious. Judge the combination from real photographs, since the mix looks different in daylight and indoor light.
Is full green always more expensive?
Not always. A full green with a muddy tone can cost less than vivid floating green on an ice-clear base. Colour depth, clarity, texture and size all move the price, so compare complete stones rather than single words.
How do I know the colour is natural?
Natural colour is the market assumption for material described as A-grade, but the only proof is credible documentation or independent testing. Request daylight photographs, backlight shots and any laboratory report, and ask what the seller will do if the colour fails testing.
Checklist before you compare colours
- Translate the listing word: full green, floating green or spring colour.
- Look at the base: is the area around the colour clear and even?
- Ask for daylight and backlight photographs of the exact piece.
- Compare price against colour plus texture, not colour alone.
See live examples of each colour family in our jadeite bangles collection.
Sources: GIA education page on jadeite; NGTC at ngtc.org.cn. Colour names are market terms - verify natural colour with documentation or testing.