Although the color of Hetian jade is not very complex, it is not uniform, and it is easy to appear a mixed variety of colors, so it is very important to accurately distinguish each jade species, in the market, two important varieties of jade family - green jade and jasper, because of the special aesthetic value and cultural connotation, has always been the object sought after by jade lovers. Today, Uncle Heyu will provide readers with a comprehensive and in-depth comparison from several perspectives:
First, the difference between composition and color
The old rule is to analyze the ingredients. The difference in composition between green jade and jasper is the main reason for their physical properties and hue. The ratio of tremolite and actinolite in green jade is more special, tremolite is transparent, and actinolite itself is dark, and the overall tone will not be too white after mixing. Jasper, on the other hand, contains less actinolite, but has a complex iron content and other mineral elements, such as some small amounts of chromium spinel, graphite, chlorite and pyroxene. These other compositional differences make sapphire and jasper different in color and texture.
The composition of green jade is usually relatively uniform, but the color distribution is uneven due to the influence of iron, mainly showing green and gray tones. Jasper is more vivid in color, common spinach green, apple green, dark green and some rare dark greens, either color, can appear dark green in bright light. In fact, green jade, especially black green jade, often has a unique feature - it often contains punctate black mineral crystals (the composition is more complex, including iron, manganese, graphite and even pyrite, etc.). Uncle here has a special note: even if the jasper (Mobi), which is close to black, is illuminated by strong light, its thin sections are still dark green and will not appear black.
2. Comparison of oiliness and fineness
Next, let's talk about oiliness and fineness. Because the crystal structure of green jade is relatively simple, the crystal particles are uniform, and the most important thing is that the small particles of actinolite are just filled in the tremolite gaps, so theoretically speaking, most of the green jade is more delicate. In contrast, jasper has a more complex mineral composition, so its oiliness and fineness differ from that of green jade. This is especially obvious in actual observation and perception, but jasper has a special feature because the green color is easier to mask the structure, and jasper has a special fluorescence effect - cat's eye characteristics, so these special optical reactions cover the delicacy of the jade itself, and some jade friends will regard this optical effect as "clean meat".
3. Comparison of market collection value
Jasper is now very high, mainly because of its bright color, and most importantly, it is favored for its green color close to jadeite. Although the color of green jade is average, it is better than the delicate jade quality and more uniform color distribution, and the most precious is the "sand jujube green" seed material, because its color is similar to the leaves of the sand jujube tree, and the flesh is like fine bean paste.
The color of high-quality jasper is almost exactly the same as the green of jadeite (it is the mineral that is most like natural jadeite in nature), and it looks more gorgeous and very vibrant; The yield of green jade is more abundant, so it is relatively low. But the sand jujube green is different, the flesh of the sand jujube green is too delicate, and now it is completely benchmarked against mutton fat white jade.
Fourth, the comparison of aesthetic differences
From a cultural and aesthetic point of view, green jade and jasper each have their own unique meaning and beauty. Green jade often symbolizes stability and restraint in ancient culture, and many large utensils and pieces treasured by emperors are made of green jade, and the cultural accumulation is much stronger than that of jasper; Jasper is regarded as a symbol of vitality and vitality because of its bright color, and the production of jewelry is more popular with women, according to the uncle's experience, many jade friends in the south only recognize jasper and mutton fat white jade, and believe that the recognition of society is inseparable, the difference in cultural connotation is also one of the important factors for our jade lovers to consider when choosing Hetian jade.
Even though there are significant differences between the two jade species in terms of composition, color, oiliness and fineness. But at present, jasper is still more competitive and sought after in the market. But as two important components of the jade family, they both have precious cultural value and aesthetic value, and they are all jade species that cannot be ignored in Hetian jade.
*Yu: Uncle Heyu.