Abstract: The objective colour measurement of jadeite jade is required for colour appraisement of high quality jadeite jade. The characteristics of CIE colorimetric method and colour chart comparison in colour appraisement of jadeite jade are analysed. The differences and relationship between the two methods are also discussed. The research results prove that the application of CIE colorimetric method can exactly represent the physical characteristics and optical perception of colour. The method of colour chart comparison can give consistent estimations for jadeite jade with relative poor transparency.