Nephrite jade
and the other beautiful stones of China

By Frank Doonan

Jade is the greatest treasure in the history of China, but what is jade? Jade is the most misunderstood and misrepresented cultural treasure of China. Most people who visit China see many carvings of beautiful stones called jade, but they never see or understand the true nephrite jade.Throughout the history of China the concept of what was jade changed. Today the commercial market determines what is called jade. A number of different stones are marketed in China today as jade.

In the west the most prized stones are gemstones cut from crystals such as the diamond, ruby and emerald. In China the most important stones are massive fine grained beautiful and colorful stones suitable for abrasive carving.

In Chinese history only one stone was the true 'Stone of Heaven' and the greatest treasure, nephrite jade. After about 4000 years ago it was the nephrite jade from western Xinjiang Province that set the standard for all jade. The soft subtly tinted white nephrite called 'Mutton Fat Jade' found in the rivers was the most treasured of all.

There are many questions people ask about the important stones of China used in carving. What are the different stones in the market today called jade? How can you tell them appart? How are stones other than nephrite jade important in China's history and culture? What were the other stones used for in the past? What are they used for today?

The most important carving stones of China will be described in the following sections (1) The 'Stone of Heaven', nephrite jade from Xinjiang Province (2) The brilliant jadeite from Myanmar (3) Serpentine (4) Agalmatolites, the beautiful soft seal stones (5) Amber (6) Coral (7) Silica rocks and minerals such as agate, chalcedony and aventurine

The different types of stone are illustrated on these pages have an explanation on the history, use and nature of each different kind of stone. Select one of the following and visit the different pages of China's beautiful carving stones.

·Nephrite jade
·Jadeite jade
·Serpentine
·Agalmatolite
·Amber
·Coral
·Silica rocks and minerals
·Myths about nephrite jade and other stones