“Natural Treasures: Jade and Agate”

Jadeite and agate are two stunning colors nurtured by the earth for billions of years, and have precipitated completely different jade styles over the long river of time.

Jadeite is like the misty rain of Jiangnan, carrying the ethereal spirit of water. The shade of green shifts from light turquoise to deep emerald, with layers upon layers of complexity. Its fibrous internal structure allows light to move through, giving off a smooth, lustrous sheen like (the texture of congealed fat). Born from the violent geological movements of tectonic plate collisions, every texture and vein is a mark of life forged under extreme pressure. The balance between hardness and toughness allows it to be sculpted into intricate ornaments or polished into close-fitting jewelry, carrying with it the Eastern philosophy of “jade nurtures the person.”

Agate is like the setting sun over the vast desert, telling the story of volcanoes through its intense colors. Silicon dioxide gradually deposits in the gas pores of volcanic rocks, forming concentric ring patterns akin to growth rings of trees. Red as the Danxia landscapes, blue as the deep sea, each piece is an abstract painting crafted by nature itself. Its hard texture withstands the test of time, from the ornamentation of the Warring States period to modern design pieces, always embodying the definition of “the beauty of stone” with a vibrant presence.

Jade and agate, the twin siblings born from the Earth, bear witness to the richness of nature and the great power of time in their distinct forms. They transform the breath of the universe into an eternal seal, tangible within the palm of one’s hand.