Related stories

Rules for the Implementation of Regulations on the Management of Foreign Invested Financial Institutes for the People's Republic of China (the Rules) Bazaar Beliefs: The Dao of the Beijing Antiquarian Implementation Measures of the "Rules of the People's Republic of China on Customs Protection of Intellectual Property Rights" Provisional Rules on the Administration of Foreign Enterprises Engaging in Design Activities for Construction Projects within the People's Republic of China (the "Rules") Order No. 31 of the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television (SARFT) - Provisions of Administration on Sino-Foreign Joint Films Production (the Provisions)

Jadeite, A Part of the Chinese Culture

Men of virtue and Jade

Since ancient times, men of moral integrity have been seen as processing the fine qualities of jade: tenderness, modesty, urbanity, among them. In the eyes of the Chinese, jade is not as shiny or sparkling as other precious stones such as diamonds, which some believe characterizes people who are aggressive or arrogant.

In olden times, all men of the upper class wore personal ornaments of jade. Jade artefacts are, in fact, an important part of the Chinese culture.

Jadeite, the most valued member of the jade family, became popular in China shortly after it was imported from Myanmar in the early Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). “Because of its physical qualities, jade, jadeite in particular, suits the artistic and intellectual tastes of the Chinese people,” said Ouyang Chiumei, a world-renown expert in jade. “The Chinese are reserved and mild. In their eyes, westerners are straight forward and aggressive, quite like the diamond.”

“Gold may have a price, but jade is priceless.”

Testifying to how much the Chinese are fond of jade is this time-honoured proverb: “Gold may have a price, but jade is priceless.” The value of gold can be determined by measuring its weight. Not jade. The value of a piece of jade or a jade artefact is “assessed” by taking numerous factors into account. For example, the purity and colour, the sound it produces when struck, and when the jade piece was discovered or when a jade artefact was produced can affect a piece’s value.  

Jade artefacts are classified into three grades, A, B and C. Those of Grade A largely retain their natural features despite their processing, cutting, engraving. Products of Grade B products are bleached to get rid of impurities. Grade C products are often dyed and therefore of little value.

It is difficult for the layman to distinguish good jade from bad jade, not to mention other physical qualities of the stone. That’s why Ouyang suggests that for quality jade artefacts, buyers should rely on a dealer with a good reputation.

“Buy antiques in times of peace and prosperity, and gold in times of turmoil”

In China, the jadeite market has become increasingly brisk along with the boom of the national economy. In the jadeite shop named after Ouyang––Mei's Collection––inside the Nanxincang Jewellery Market in Beijing, prices for top-class jadeite articles have increased several times over the past year, according to Liu Zijian, general manager of the jewellery market. “Buy antiques in times of peace and prosperity, and gold in times of turmoil,” she said, citing this Chinese proverb.

According to Ouyang, prices are likely to continue to rise. One of the reasons she gives is the shortage of supply. “Jadeite is produced only in Myanmar,” she said. “Moreover, jadeite deposits were formed over millions of years, but these are being rapidly depleted due to excess mining.”

“In the past,” she said, “jadeite pieces were collected by simple digging. Nowadays the precious stone is being mined like coal.”

As the precious stone is becoming increasingly precious, Ouyang said investing in jadeite could be a good idea.

To be a good investor in jadeite artefacts, she advised, “First you have to invest in your knowledge of the precious stone. Only when you turn yourself into a jadeite expert can you start thinking about investing in jadeite artefacts. You have to understand what kind of items are worth investing in.”

“That’s why I have opened this shop,” she said. “There are so many fake and substandard items on the market that lots of consumers have been cheated. By opening this shop, I want to let people know what real jadeite is like.”

Jadeite is becoming increasingly popular in western countries, at a time when more and more Chinese are taking a liking to diamonds. “Westerners are fascinated not only by the fine stone itself, but more importantly by the cultural messages it carries,” Ouyang explained.

Ouyang has paid numerous visits to Europe and the United States, giving talks on jadeite and why the stone is a part of the Chinese culture. She said, “I want to promote our culture around the world by letting people appreciate the beauty of jadeite and its cultural connotations.”

About Ouyang Chiumei: Ouyang Chiumei is one of our leading gemmologists, recognized the world over as an authority on jadeite jade. She achieved international renown in the mineralogical and gemological fraternities with her discovery and disclosure of “Ureyite” in the jade market in Hong Kong. She founded The Hong Kong Gems Laboratory and The H.K. institute of gemology in 1987, both of which have become recognized as leaders in the field of jadeite identification and education. She is also the first person to come up with the concept of “A, B and C” grade to classify jadeite products.