Hetian jade has a long history in China, which can be traced back to ancient times. Many unearthed cultural relics prove that Hetian jade existed in ancient times. However, due to people's lack of experience in making jade articles at that time, the jade articles produced were very simple and rough in shape, and the techniques and tools for carving jade articles were limited, so most of the jade articles themselves had no ornamentation.
Later, with the development of human history, Hetian jade became more and more important. Jade has become a symbol of ceremony and political status, and its shape and ornamentation are gradually enriched. Because the development of jade has gone through a period of time, the manufacturing technology of jade has been improved. Coupled with the development of culture, people's artistic appreciation ability has also been greatly improved, so they have a deeper understanding of how to beautify jade itself. Hetian jade is made more exquisitely and skillfully, and its style and cultural value have been further enriched.
Hetian jade can be divided into white jade, suet jade, topaz, sapphire, sapphire, sugar jade, blue and white jade and jet according to color.
1. white jade
The color of white jade varies from white to bluish white, even in the same vein, and there are many names, such as seasonal white, paraffin white, fish-belly white, pear white and moonlight white. White jade is a high-grade jade owned by Hetian jade, and its block size is generally small. White jade is extremely rare among nephrite in the world. White jade is the best among white jade. The whiter the color, the better. Pure white Yu Zi, as smooth as an egg, is called "Bai Zi of light" and its quality is particularly good. Some white jade seeds have a certain color on the surface after oxidation. The color of autumn pear is called "autumn pear", the color of tiger skin is called "tiger skin" and the color of jujube is called "jujube skin". They are all rare varieties of Hetian jade.
2. suet jade
Sheep fat jade is named because it looks like sheep fat. The texture is delicate, "white as fat", especially rich, giving people a feeling of softness at first sight. This is the best variety of white jade. At present, only Xinjiang has this variety in the world, and its output is very rare and its value is extremely high.
3. Blue and white jade
Blue and white jade is white as the background color, and green, blue and gray are faintly flashing in the white jade. It is a transitional variety of white jade and sapphire, which is more common in Hetian jade.
4.topaz
Topaz varies from light yellow to dark yellow, and the colors are chestnut, okra yellow, yellow flower yellow, egg yolk, tiger skin yellow and so on. Topaz is very rare. In the history of jade exploration for thousands of years, it is only occasionally seen, and the quality is not inferior to that of sheep fat jade. Ancient jade articles are precious treasures made of topaz, such as topaz three sheep bottle, topaz animal bottle, topaz bergamot and so on.
5.sapphire
Sapphire is light cyan to dark cyan, and there are many colors. Ancient books recorded astaxanthin, snot green, crab shell green, bamboo leaf green and so on. In modern times, there are different shades of colors, including light blue, dark blue, navy blue, gray blue, dark gray blue and so on. Among Hetian jade, sapphire is the most common, and large pieces are also common. In recent years, we have seen an emerald with light green color and delicate texture, which is a better variety.
6. Mo Yu
The ink color of jet varies from ink color to light black, and its ink color is mostly cloud stripes and so on. There are many process names, such as dark clouds, light ink, golden mink beard, beauty beard and so on. In the whole material, the degree of ink is different, and the distribution of light and shade is uneven, which is more common in the transition with sapphire and white jade. Generally, there are full ink, ink gathering and ink spots. Black refers to the ink in sapphire or white jade, which can be used as a pretty color. Dot ink is scattered into dots, which affects the use. Most of the jet is small, and its blackness is caused by containing more fine graphite scales.
7.jasper
Jasper is generally turquoise, dark green, dark green, green-black, and some are completely black without lighting, but black jasper will still show its green background as long as it is illuminated with strong light. The formation of jasper can be divided into two types: one is produced in the contact zone of acidic intrusive rock mass, which will appear more pure and delicate in texture; The other occurs in the contact zone of ultrabasic rocks. This kind of jasper usually has more impurities and is often accompanied by black mineral inclusions, which are black spots that everyone can see.
8. Tang Yu
Because of its color like brown sugar, it is vividly called Tang Yu. Sugar jade is generally formed near the peripheral zone of white jade, sapphire and sapphire mountain material, which is mainly the product of weathering.
The whole piece of sugar jade is not brown sugar Generally, the color of large pieces of sugar jade gradually changes and deepens from the inside out, and it can transition from white, cyan and light yellow to brown-red on the outer layer. Due to the different degree of impregnation, the thickness of sugar is different, ranging from a few millimeters to dozens of centimeters. It is usually attached to the surface of meat, and some meat colors are wrapped in a transitional relationship.
9. Blue and white
This "blue and white" is not another "blue and white", but only uses the name characteristics of blue and white porcelain and the aesthetic taste of ink painting to describe this unique variety of Hetian jade. The reason for the formation of blue and white is that there are more graphite in Hetian jade. Because of the uneven distribution, it has formed the unique charm of black and white.
Jade, as the "beauty in stone" selected by the ancestors of the Chinese nation, has moist and lustrous aesthetic feeling and practical function. In this long screening process, "the jade of Kunshan", namely "Hetian jade", has become recognized as "Baoyu" and "real jade". For more professional knowledge and identification of Hetian jade, please contact us. The Art Exploration Hall provides free appraisal and appreciation activities of Hetian jade for jade friends every week.