What are the four famous jades in China?
The most authoritative statement should be: China's four famous jade refers to "Hetian Jade" from Xinjiang, "Lantian Jade" from Lantian, Shaanxi, "Dushan Jade" from Nanyang, Henan, and "Dushan Jade" from Xiuyan, Liaoning. Xiuyu".
Baidu Encyclopedia writes it very clearly. /view/360748.htm
The four most famous jades in China refer to "Hetian Jade" from Xinjiang, "Lantian Jade" from Lantian, Shaanxi, "Dushan Jade" from Nanyang, Henan, and "Xiuyan" from Xiuyan, Liaoning Jade".
Hetian Jade
Mainly distributed in Xinjiang’s Yarkand-Tashkorgan, Hotan-Khotan, and the northern slope of the Kunlun Mountains stretching for 1,500 kilometers in Qiemo County, there are 9 of them Origin. The mineral composition of Hotan jade is mainly tremolite-actinolite, and contains trace amounts of diopside, serpentine, graphite, magnet and other minerals, forming white, turquoise, black, yellow and other different colors. Most It is a single-color jade, with a few having variegated colors. Jade is translucent, has a fat-like luster after polishing, and has a hardness between 5.5 degrees and 6.5 degrees. Hotan jade is found in mountain rocks at an altitude of 3,500 to 5,000 meters. After long-term weathering and peeling, it breaks into fragments of varying sizes, collapses on the hillside, and then flows into the river after being washed by rain. When the river dries up in autumn, the jade pieces collected from the river bed are called seed jade, and those mined from the rock formations are called mountain jade. The earliest jade objects made of Hetian jade that have been discovered come from the tomb of Fuhao in Yinxu. After the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, Hotan jade gradually became the main jade material, all of which were collected from seeds. In the Qing Dynasty, mountain materials began to be mined. The jade mountain "Dayu Controlled Floods" carved during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty weighed 10,700 kilograms of green jade, which was collected from Mileta Mountain.
The economic value of Hetian jade is evaluated based on the purity of its color and texture. Its main varieties are:
1. White jade: Containing more than 95% tremolite, white in color, pure, delicate in texture, lustrous and moist, it is a high-quality variety of Hetian jade. During the prosperous periods of jade making in the Han Dynasty, Song Dynasty, and Qing Dynasty, great emphasis was placed on material selection, and high-quality white jade was often carefully carved as a "heavy item."
2. Mutton-fat white jade: the top grade of white jade, with a pure and delicate texture containing 99% tremolite, and a white color with a subtle luster like gelatin. The economic value of jade of the same weight is several times that of white jade. Mutton-fat white jade was highly valued during the Han Dynasty, Song Dynasty and Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty.
3. Blue and white jade: There is no significant difference in texture from white jade. Only the jade color is white with a light green color. It is a third-grade jade material in Hetian jade, and its economic value is slightly lower than that of white jade.
4. Sapphire: Sapphire is a homogeneous sapphire that is light blue, green, or gray in color. It has a uniform color and a fine texture. It contains 89% tremolite and 6% actinolite. It has a greasy luster and is rich in reserves. , is the main variety of jade collected or mined in the past dynasties.
5. Topaz: The matrix is white jade, which forms a yellow tone in the gaps due to long-term infiltration of iron oxide in surface water. According to the color change, they are named: dense wax yellow, chestnut yellow, okra yellow, yellow flower yellow, egg yolk, etc. Dense sallow yellow and chestnut yellow with strong color are extremely rare, and their economic value can be equal to that of mutton-fat white jade. In the Qing Dynasty, because topaz was a homophone for "emperor" and was extremely rare, its economic value once exceeded that of mutton-fat white jade.
6. Sugar jade: Iron oxide penetrates into tremolite to form red shells of different shades. The deep red ones are called "sugar jade" and "tiger skin jade", and the white and slightly pink ones are called "pink jade" . Sugar jade is often combined with white jade or plain jade to form a two-color jade material, which can be used to make "pretty jade". Snuff bottles are made from sugar jade skin shell seeds and are said to be "gold wrapped in silver" to increase their value.
7. Black Jade: The tremolite is black due to graphite and magnet components. Most of the black jade is gray-white or gray-black jade with black markings, which are named "dark clouds, light black light, golden mink beard, beauty temples, etc." according to the shape. Those with thick and dense black spots are called pure lacquer ink, and their value is higher than other black jade Variety. Black jade has a waxy luster and is not suitable for carving and decoration due to its uneven color. It is mostly used to make vessels inlaid with gold and silver filaments.
8. Jasper: Produced in Junggar jade mine, also known as Tianshan jasper. Green, dark green, dark green, with pure dark green as the top grade. The quality of jasper with black spots, black spots or jade veins is lower than that of tremolite. The texture is fine, translucent and oily. Luster, mid-range jade.
Lantian Jade
Archaeological data proves that Lantian Jade is one of the earliest types of jade developed in my country, with a history of more than 4,000 years. Located in the southeast of Xi'an City, the county seat is 40 kilometers away from Xi'an. In addition to the Qinling Mountains in the east and south, the county is surrounded by Sichuan Plain hilly areas.
The Ba River and Chan River that flow around Chang'an originate here, and the famous Bailu Plateau is sandwiched between the Ba River and Chan River. During the Warring States Period, the Qin Dynasty established Lantian County. Because the beauty of jade is called blue, and the county produces beautiful jade, it was named Lantian.
Lantian jade was first seen in "Hanshu Geography", and the beautiful jade was produced in "Lantian Mountain in the north of Beijing (now north of Xi'an)". Later, ancient books such as "Book of the Later Han Dynasty: Biography of Wife Qi", Zhang Heng's "Ode to Xijing", "Guangya", "Shui Jing Zhu" and "Yuanhe County Map" all have records of jade produced in Lantian. During the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, Song Yingxing said in "Tiangong Kaiwu": "The so-called Lantian is another name for the jade produced in Congling (Kunlun Mountain), and was later mistakenly thought of as Lantian in Xi'an." This caused disputes among later generations. Some say that Lantian does not produce jade at all, and some say that even if it does, it may be Laiyu (jade green in color like vegetable leaves).
Lantian jade includes jadeite, black jade, colored jade, white jade, and topaz. Most of them are multi-colored jade with distinct colors, good color and strange patterns. According to surveys in recent years, Lantian jade reserves have reached more than 1 million cubic meters, mainly distributed in Yuchuan Township and Hongmensi Township. Local folk jade craftsmen used to quarry and process jade manually. In recent years, they have begun to use mechanical quarrying and processing to produce a variety of decorations and handicrafts. Such as jade cups, jade inkstones, jade bracelets, fitness balls, etc. Many jade products show natural landscape images, which can be regarded as high-quality and low-priced handicrafts.
Physical tests show that Lantian Jade contains calcium, iron, potassium, sodium, manganese, copper and other trace elements that are beneficial to the human body. It has the effects of relaxing muscles, activating blood circulation, and beautifying the human body. Lantian jade is regarded as a health jade. Regularly wearing jade can cause the trace elements contained in jade to be absorbed into the human body through the skin, thereby balancing the imbalance of yin and yang, qi and blood, and enabling people to cure diseases, maintain health and prolong life.
Royals and dignitaries of all dynasties regard Lantian jade as a treasure. Qin Shihuang once used Lantian jade to make his seal, and Yang Guifei’s jade belt was also made of Lantian jade. Legend has it that the love token that Li Longji gave to Yang Yuhuan was Lantian jade. Because its texture is like ice tearing apart, people later named it after Yang Yuhuan's nickname, Furong, also called "Ice Flower Furong Jade". Water hibiscus, refreshing and bright, symbolizes beautiful love and is especially suitable for young people and people with fair skin to wear. Because it is formed in the eye part of the spring, it is washed by hot spring water a lot, so it contains a lot of soluble minerals. Soaking it in water to wash your face has a good skin care effect, it can sterilize, reduce inflammation, and whiten the skin. The only kind of beauty jade, its biggest feature is that it changes color quickly, so it is favored by the majority of girls! The jade made of Lantian jade is crystal green and full of charm, some are like green pines and cypresses, flowing clouds and flowing water; some are like hundreds of fishes Playing games; some are like peonies, chrysanthemums in full bloom, and tall bamboos; some are like pandas eating bamboos, tigers roaring in the valley; red cranes flying, birds looking at the phoenix; some splashing heavy ink; some milky white like fat; some Green like emerald; some light yellow like gold. These products, which are both virtual and real, with different expressions, add infinite interest to the natural beauty, and are favored by consumers at home and abroad. Its products are sold nationwide and exported to Europe and the United States. Lantian jade and its handicrafts have become a pillar product in Shaanxi and are famous both at home and abroad.
Dushan Jade
Also known as "Nanyang Jade" or "Southern Jade", it is produced in Dushan, north of Nanyang City. There are also those called "Duyu" for short. It is one of the four famous jades in the country. Dushan jade is tough and slightly dense, delicate and soft, with a transparent luster and mottled colors. There are 6 pigments, green, white, yellow, purple, red and white, and 77 color types. It is the first-class raw material for jade carving.
As early as 6,000 years ago, ancient people mined Dushan jade. Among the jade articles unearthed from Fuhao's tomb in Yinxu, Anyang, there are many products made of Dushan jade. In the Western Han Dynasty, Dushan was called "Jade Mountain".
Due to its bright color and good transparency, Dushan Jade ranks among the "Four Famous Jade" in my country. The emerald green variety of high-end jade is similar to Burmese jade, so it is known as "Nanyang Jade". Generally, single jade is mainly used to carve various furnishings as well as bracelets, rings, necklaces and other accessories.
Dushan jade is a multi-color jade that can be divided into eight varieties according to color.
① Green Dushan Jade: Green to emerald green, translucent, fine texture, similar to jadeite, with glass luster.
② Red Dushan Jade: also known as "Hibiscus Jade". The color is light red to red, the texture is fine, and the luster is good.
③ Bai Dushan Jade: White or off-white in color, fine in texture and with a grease-like luster. Its varieties include cream white jade, permeable white jade, etc.
④ Purple Dushan Jade: dark purple in color and poor transparency.
⑤ Huangdushan Jade: Yellow-green in color.
⑥ Black Dushan Jade: The color is like ink, so it is also called "ink jade".
⑦ Qingdushan Jade: Blue-green in color and poor transparency.
⑧ Variegated Dushan Jade: Dushan Jade with mixed colors.
Dushan jade is the best with good color, high transparency, fine texture and no impurities and cracks. Among them, hibiscus stone, permeable white jade, and green jade are of higher value. In addition, the pretty jade carvings made using different colors of jade blocks to imitate nature have received high praise.
Dushan jade carving has a long history. The jade shovel produced at the Huangshan Neolithic Site near Dushan in 1959 proves that ancestors had known and used Dushan jade more than 5,000 years ago. The "Yujie Temple" site at the foot of Dushan Mountain was the place where jade articles were carved in the Han Dynasty. The "Revised Nanyang County Chronicle" of the Qing Dynasty records: "Most of the residents in the north of the county make a living by carving jade." In old China, Nanyang jade carving has formed a large industry. There are more than 80 workshops in the city, most of which are workshops in the back and shops in the front. The carving sells itself. Jade carvings mainly include more than 120 varieties of figures, flowers, birds and animals, landscapes, statues, furnaces, jewelry, etc. The single jade carvings are sparkling and exquisite, making them a famous specialty of Nanyang.
Xiuyan Jade
Produced in Xiuyan, Liaoning Province, China. Xiuyan County is a Feng Shui treasure land with beautiful mountains and clear waters, rich products, and a place where wind and energy are stored. After millions of years of natural evolution, the essence of millions of years of sun, moon, mountains and rivers has been condensed, thus creating the world-famous national treasure - Xiuyan Jade.
Xiu jade is one of the four famous jades in China. Its large output and use of materials rank first among the "four famous jades". However, due to its low hardness, when jade is wiped and cleaned, it is easy to be worn and the originally weak luster gradually becomes dim. It is far less bright than jade, which becomes brighter with each polish, so Xiu jade is a low-grade jade material. In the production of large jade carving seats and small and medium-sized ornaments, jade is still a popular type of jade because of its low hardness requirements.
It can be roughly divided into two categories. One is old jade (also known as river jade), which is a precious jade with a simple texture, dignified texture and dark green color. The other type is nephrite, which has a solid and warm texture, delicate and rounded texture, and is mostly green. Among them, pure white and golden are two rare treasures.
Most Xiu jade is mostly green, so in addition to the above functions, it is of great significance to people who like wood in the five elements of numerology. If you place green Xiu jade at home or in the office, or Wearing it yourself will bring you good luck. If you can like it from the heart and get close to it from the soul, in the long run, you will be connected with the beautiful jade and your destiny will change from then on.