Hi Barbara,

There is a significant dichotomy between the view of the Westerner and the Easterner, or the English speaker versus the Chinese speaker, when it comes to identifying and naming stones.

In English, we often identify stones (beads or whatever) as being "jade"—and by this we intend two minerals that are always so-called. These are nephrite and jadeite. Nephrite is the stone that was highly admired in old China, is hard and fibrous, and ranges from white to dark green, and from translucent to fatty to opaque. In contrast, jadeite was discovered and promoted much later in time, and the royalty of China did not immediately revere nor desire it. Nevertheless, it eventually became popular. Mined in Burma, it is often called "Burmese jade." Jadeite is a different mineral form nephrite, but shares some characteristics in common. Its color range is much broader, however, and includes hues not usually formerly associated with jade, including red, yellow, and violet.

Asia is not the only source of these stones. Nephrite comes from Taiwan, but also British Columbia, California, Colorado, and Guatemala. In most places, these stones are just called "jade." This word is actually derived from the Spanish "ijada" apparently referring to the thigh or loin, for which the stone was believed medicinal/curative. (Pronounced "ee-HAH-dah.") In pre-Columbian times, from North to South America, jade was as significant a material as it was in Asia—and often used for beadmaking. (As were other green stones.)

So, in English-speaking contexts, "jade" always means either nephrite or jadeite, and every other similar-looking stone is considered a "jade imitation" or "jade substitute."

In China, they look at it very differently, and not from a mineralogical perspective. They refer to nephrite and jadeite as "yu." But there are actually about twelve (or maybe more) stones that are ALL called "yu" by the Chinese. They vary in hardness and color/appearance, though many are green or greenish, or look like certain varieties of jade. Stones routinely included as "yu" are serpentine, many green varieties of agate or quartz, and too many others to name here.

The name "yu" is always translated into English as "jade." An American (for instance) when he or she hears the name "jade" thinks the stone is nephrite or jadeite..., but a Chinese seller or collector can call so many different stones "jade" that are not jade, it can be very confusing.

So, if you ask questions like "is this jade?" or "is this real jade?"—you are going to get an affirmative answer much of the time—and the informant is not lying to you. In his or her mind, jade=yu, and MANY stones are yu.

If you were to say, "is this nephrite?" or "is this jadeite?" the reply may or may not be accurate. Some people don't know enough mineralogy to have a correct answer, and others do not care.

In about the past ten years, the fake-old-jade-carvings business has really revved-up. While there were always fakes of desirable stones and materials—including jade—it has quite taken off in recent years. Just as there are whole factories in China that make thousands of imitation zi beads (for the "Tibetan market"), there are factories that cut new "jade beads"—many of which imitate old-time or ancient beads, either realistically or unrealistically. Earlier this year, I evaluated a HUGE collection in southern California, of a person who bought all this stuff believing it was authentic. I was not the first one to say these were fakes..., and the owner is hesitant to invest in belief when so much has been invested in cash. But, at the very least, they are handsome nicely-carved beads, of some merit.

The long and short of it is this—right now, in China, and from out of China, it is possible to buy TONS of fake jade beads, pendants, and artifacts. Many of them are gorgeous! Some are skillfully and tastefully made, and the stone is pretty. But they are not authentically old nor ancient artifacts, and they are bought in China for few dollars. And, yes, they will be called "jade," regardless of what the stone may be.

If you buy these beads, you should tell customers the beads are "yu, or Chinese jade." If you want to explain more you can try to relate the above. It would be beneficial to learn mineral identification, to determine exactly what you got. GIA courses are good for this.

I hope this is helpful.

Jamey

I am honoured that you took the time to post such an enlightening reply.

I have read about the nephrite/jadeite history, but the rest is new to me and most interesting (I started a correspondence course in gemmology, but found it a little too difficult at the time. A couple of years later and having learned so much 'on the job' I may give it another try).

As prices are displayed (giving an important baseline for bargaining), and as all the other customers appear to be local, I feel comfortable in buying the carved stones that best appeal to me and show an intrinsic beauty whatever they may or may not be made of.

And your suggestions on what to call these stones is happy indeed and will be most useful.

Thanks again for your generous advice.

I'm off to Beijing Geological Museum today, in hopes to educate myself further.

I expect to be in Beijing for three more weeks. If there is any small service I might render whilst here, just say the word.

Thanks again,

Barbara

I am leaving for changchun today

so wish you happy days!

There is a very small shop in haiwangcun liulichang

my favourate shop and the shopkeeper is very nice

if you have time you can visit

my best wishes!

R.M.

Husband begins work this week, and I shall be free in the daytime. Perhaps when you return from Changchun? I shall be here until 30th.
Regards from Barbara

I will be back around that days

Be free to call

hope to see you and your beads then

R.M.

Hello, it was good to speak to you on the telephone yesterday.

I had a good afternoon at Beijing Geological Museum and the curator there told me the same as you did - my next stop will be the Capital Museum for good examples of old stone beads. The best way to educate myself!

I was in the British Geological Museum (part of Natural History Museum in London) just a few weeks ago, it was free and photographing was also permitted and free, consequently it was very crowded with British families and tourists, with a friendly bustling atmosphere.

The Beijing Geological Museum was a good visit, but I was sorry to see that on a Sunday I was practically the only visitor. What a pity! Maybe it was the entrance fee of Y30 or the lack of any special crowd-drawing exhibition, although the minerals were well presented and the fossils were fantastic. unfortunately I was not allowed to take photographs.

Perhaps there are more school visits in the week?

Chinese nowdays care anything but knowlege.
Let alone "raw stones".

It is a pity. not many people know BGM ,nor they care about geology...
They prefer to the overelaborate crafts.

Hi Jamey, You put it much better!

<< 'Jade' in China describes all polycrystalline and cryptocrystalline mineral aggregates and a few non-crystalline materials that are suitable for carving and making into jewellery. The caracteristics are beauty, colour, moderate hardness, tough and fine texture, and as well as nephrite and jadeite includes opal, serpentine, quartz, turquoise, lapis lazuli, malachite, dushun yu, marble, natural glass, rhodocrosite, solalite, and rhodonite.>>