[Jewelry making - Article 00781] - Re: [Orchid] Looking for Imperial Jade

[coralnut]

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    Beth, It appears that the term "Imperial Jade" might be part of the
    problem here. While the term may be found in many guides and jade
    lists...it is contrived supposedly to describe the best jadeite
    reserved for royality. In reality, jadeite which is believed to have
    come to China during the 1600s (all the rest being nephrite or 'fu
    yu' - false jade such as serpentine etc) was used in many levels of
    quality by the mandarins.  Some in fact was of quite poor quality
    depending on position and wealth. 

    First, lets go to the primary and traditional source of jadeite -
    Burma.  In 1927 Chhibber provided the following color catagories for
    jade(ite): (1) most precious a translucent grass green, (2) light
    green with bright green markings, (3) clouded, (4) dark green -
    rather soft and brittle, (5) red or brownish found in boulders which
    have been embedded in red earth, (6) translucent white, (7) white and
    translucent, but sometimes opaque patches which reduce its value and
    (8) dark green, which appears black unless the material is cut thinly
    (From 'Jade of the East by Geoffrey Wills, 1972). Interestingly
    enough, the list does not include some of the yellows, purples, blue
    or mauve that are also found. 

    The "Jade Records" from the Tsin dynasty (265-420 AD)classified jade
    in nine colors: black as deep water, blue as indigo foam, green as
    fresh moss, emerald as the kingfisher's feathers, yellow as steamed
    chestnuts, vermillion as cinnabar, purple as congealed blood, jet
    black as ink, white as mutton fat and mottled with red and white
    streaks.  Other Chinese writtings describe it as:  ruby red,
    chicken-blood red, cinnabar red, cherry red, date red, parrot green,
    pine-needle green, gingko green, asmanthus fragrus yellow, sunflower
    yellow, chestnut yellow, wine yellow, fishmaw white, chicken-bone
    white, rice white, pool-water gray-blue, crab-shell gray-blue, willow
    green, bamboo leaf green, eggplant purple, palm hair purple, bean
    paste mauve, pure varnish black and old ink black. WHEW! Still, the
    one color that describes the most valued of all jadeites is a bright
    pure emerald green as described by Chhibber as 'translucent grass
    green'. The Chinese term is 'fei-ts'ui' after the kingfisher bird's
    bright plummage. In China 'fei-ts'ui' jade, is referred to with
    reverence because it is so rare and considered so pure as to embody
    one's soul.  That is why it is also so expensive.  You will rarely
    see such jade in the west.  Most of it is siphoned off at the jade
    auctions in HongKong and stays in the Asian market where it is both
    appreciated and can be afforded.   Americans generally do not
    appreciate it enough to pay the demanded price.  I have, for example,
    seen small fei-ts'ui cabs in places like HongKong, Taipei, etc, going
    for $8,000 to 10,000USD a carat. 

    But don't dispare. Within the large range of colors and qualities of
    jade are some very fine specimens that can be had for reasonable
    prices. "Bwo-li yu" or aka glass jade, describes a very transparant
    jade....it just may not be emerald green that is quite reasonable in
    price.  Other jade can be beautiful emerald green but not display the
    transparant (fei-ts'ui) qualities. 

    I would recommend you discuss this with your client and see where
    her pocket book and desires meet! 

    Cheers from Don at The Charles Belle Studio in SOFL where simple
    elegance IS fine jewelry! dcdietz AT attbi.com


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