Hetian jade and jadeite: how to distinguish the two in detail
Hetian jade and jadeite, as the two giants in the jade industry, have always been loved and sought after by people. Although they are the same jade, they exhibit very different characteristics in many ways. Below, we will delve into these differences and take you into the wonderful world of Hetian jade and jadeite.
1. The mystery of ingredients and origin
Hetian jade, the traditional Chinese jade, is mainly composed of tremolite minerals, which are rich in calcium-magnesium silicate in chemical structure. It was born in the Hotan region of Xinjiang and the majestic Kunlun Mountains, and has undergone hundreds of millions of years of vicissitudes. Jadeite, on the other hand, is dominated by jadeite minerals, and its chemical composition is mainly sodium aluminosilicate.
It is mainly produced in Myanmar, where the unique geological environment provides unique conditions for the formation of jadeite. Of course, jadeite is not only produced in Myanmar, but also in Japan, Russia, the United States and other places, but only Myanmar's jadeite can reach the gem level, and the color and texture are excellent.
Second, the charm of color and luster
When it comes to Hetian jade, people often think of its warm jade-like color, from blue to white to sugar, each of which looks so clean and delicate. Its surface is smooth like oil, sometimes waxy, or even glassy, giving it a sense of tranquility and profoundness.
In contrast, jadeite is more colorful in color, with green, blue, and purple ......Each one seems to contain the vitality of nature. The luster of jadeite is mostly vitreous, ranging from completely transparent to translucent, and even opaque, each with its own unique beauty.
3. The contest between hardness and flexibility
In terms of hardness, Hetian jade belongs to the category of nephrite, and its hardness is about 6-6between 5. Despite its relatively low hardness, Hetian jade is extremely flexible and does not break easily, which makes it a favorite among sculptors.
Jadeite, on the other hand, belongs to jadeite with a hardness of 6Between 5-7, it is the "tough guy" in jade. But because of its high hardness, jadeite is relatively fragile and requires extra care when processing and wearing.
Fourth, the evaluation criteria and the consideration of **
To evaluate the quality of a piece of Hetian jade, people usually consider factors such as its oiliness, texture, color, and imperfections. Among them, oil moisture is one of the most important evaluation criteria for Hetian jade. The more delicate and oily the texture, the higher its market value. The evaluation criteria of jadeite are more complex, including multiple dimensions such as water, color, craftsmanship, and flaws.
For example, the seed water of jadeite is divided into many grades such as bean seeds, waxy seeds, ice seeds, etc. At the same time, the color of jadeite is also one of the important factors that determine its value, especially green jadeite is warmly sought after by the market. In terms of popularity, Hetian jade is usually high because of its rarity and historical and cultural value, while jadeite is very different due to its origin, water, color and other factors.
Fifth, the diversity of technology and varieties
The process of making jadeite is very complex, and it requires many processes of careful polishing and carving from mining to finished product. Hetian jade, on the other hand, is more suitable for fine carving and modeling design because of its warm texture and good flexibility.
In addition, in addition to the common seed material, Hetian jade also has varieties such as mountain material; In addition to mountain materials, jadeite also has many varieties such as green materials and green materials, each of which has its own unique style and characteristics.
6. Tips for selection and maintenance
When selecting Hetian jade, we should pay attention to its oiliness and delicacy of texture; When choosing jadeite, more attention should be paid to its water and color. In terms of maintenance, Hetian jade should avoid collision and friction with hard objects to prevent scratches; Jadeite, on the other hand, should be avoided from prolonged exposure to heat and chemicals to maintain its luster and transparency.
To sum up, although Hetian jade and jadeite are both jade, they have their own merits. Understanding and mastering these differences not only helps us to better appreciate and collect these two types of jade, but also makes us more comfortable wearing and caring for them.