Jade-working Methods

Like most stones, jade is too tough to be carved. A jade worker must patiently grind the stone using an abrasive—usually a mineral sand, such as garnet or quartz, mixed with water—and an assortment of cutting and shaping tools.

These illustrations by nineteenth-century artist Li Shiquan demonstrate some basic traditional jade-working techniques, which remained much the same from the time metal tools were invented (probably around 2000 B.C.) until electrically powered tools became available in the twentieth century. Before metal tools, jade workers probably used tools made of stone, bone, or bamboo.

Colors of Jade

Many people think of jade as being green, but it actually comes in many different colors. Pure nephrite and jadeite are both white, but different levels of trace elements—mainly iron, chromium, and manganese—give both minerals their wide range of colors, sometimes even in the same rock.

Shades of green, yellow, brown, gray, and black are common in both nephrite and jadeite. Jadeite can also be lavender, light blue, or reddish-orange.

Jade as a Stone

There are two different minerals that we call “jade:” nephrite and jadeite. They have similar characteristics, but are structurally different. Nephrite is made up of long, fibrous, interwoven crystals. Jadeite is made up of granular crystals grouped in clusters.

Both nephrite and jadeite are extremely tough. They are highly resistant to breaking, chipping, and cracking. To the ancient Chinese, this durability gave jade special meaning. The stone embodied both beauty and permanence.

• We accept paypal, bank transfer, visa/master/Amex Credit Card Online.
• Please make sure the "ship to" address you input in the paypal is correct.
• Orders are shipped within 1-2 business days after payment clears.
• Bidding on multiple items? Simply wait until all of the auctions end and complete ebay checkout within 7 days.
• Combine shipping: :Total shipping fee = Highest single item shipping fee + The rest items additional shipping fee as stated.
• Insurance is optional but strongly recommended for postal lost protection.
• Tax: We don't charge any sales tax.
• Also checkout page for Frequently Asked Questions.

• We refund or exchange if the item is broken or lost. Shipping and insurance is not refundable, please contact us by email before return the goods.
• Once your items arrive in satisfactory condition, please leave positive feedback to us, and our system will do the same to you immediately.
• Please do not leave negative or neutral feedback without communications, otherwise our system will automatically leave the negative to you.
• Your satisfaction is guaranteed! All of our items have a 14 days return privilege.
• We hope you have wonderful shop experience with us! Negative feedback can't make any sense.
  Please feel free to contact us if there is any problem when you receive your parcel, we will try our best to resolve the problem.

• We started selling on ebay since 2003, we serve a wide range of Oriental Art and Crafts such as netsuke, carvings, snuff bottle, ancient teapot and chinese locks etc.
• We currently export more than 10,000 products from our factory to all over the world.
• Goldenphoenx88 always offer widest selection of Chinese folk art, and put out new items weekly, always give our old buyers surprise. We assure the excellent customer service and reliable shipment!
• Lean more about