Xiuyan Jade (Serpentine)

Xiuyan Jade, named after its main production area in Xiuyan Manchu Autonomous County, Anshan City, Liaoning Province, China, is a national geographical indication product and one of China's 'Four Great Jades'. With a long history and profound cultural heritage, Xiuyan Jade is renowned for its warm and delicate texture, rich and diverse colors, and bright luster. It is not only an exquisite carving material but is also endowed with symbolic meanings of auspiciousness, peace, and purity in traditional Chinese culture, making it widely loved and collected.

Mohs Hardness

2.5-5.5

Origin

Xiuyan, Liaoning, China; Xinjiang, China; Sichuan, China

Market Price Range

Common quality: $5-$50 per piece; Medium quality: $50-$500 per piece; High quality or old jade: $50+ per gram or $5,000+ per piece.

Detailed Description

Xiuyan Jade is a general term for jade produced in the Xiuyan area of Liaoning. It can be divided into two main categories based on mineral composition. One is Serpentine Jade, the most common type on the market, which has a lower hardness and comes in colors like green, yellowish-green, white, and black, with a fine texture and good transparency. The other category is Tremolite Jade, commonly known as 'old jade' or 'hemo jade'. Its main composition is close to Hetian jade, with a higher hardness (up to 6.0-6.5), a more unctuous and substantial texture, and colors dominated by yellowish-white and celadon, making it a treasured variety of Xiuyan Jade. The history of mining and using Xiuyan Jade can be traced back to the Neolithic Age, forming an important part of Chinese jade culture. From the pig-dragon of the Hongshan culture to the court jades of the Qing Dynasty, Xiuyan Jade has been present. When collecting Xiuyan Jade, one should focus on its variety, texture, color, purity, and craftsmanship. High-quality 'hemo' jade and serpentine jade with vibrant colors and pure texture have good potential for appreciation. At the same time, be wary of imitations made from glass, marble, or other low-grade stones.

Identification Methods

Color Observation: Xiuyan Jade has diverse colors, mainly light green, yellowish-green, and white. The color is often uneven, distributed in clumps or bands.

Texture and Feel: The texture is delicate and feels warm to the touch, but it feels slightly lighter than Hetian jade.

Hardness Test: The Mohs hardness is relatively low, at 2.5-5.5. It can be scratched by a knife, which is a key difference from hard jades like jadeite and Hetian jade.

Internal Structure: When observed with a flashlight, white flocculent or cotton-like structures are common inside. Some may have a small amount of black or other colored impurities.

Sound Test: When tapped gently, the sound is dull and not as crisp as hard jade.

Market Information

The market for Xiuyan Jade is significantly polarized. Due to its vast production, common-grade Xiuyan Jade is very affordable and widely used for making crafts and mass-market jewelry, with ample market supply. However, high-quality Xiuyan Jade, especially the 'hemo' jade (a type of tremolite jade) and varieties with rare colors, holds high collection value and investment potential due to its excellent texture and scarcity, with prices continuing to rise. The overall market shows a pattern of saturation at the low end and scarcity at the high end, requiring consumers to focus on quality differentiation when purchasing.