Beijing China: JADE FACTORY

Day 2 in Beijing: Jade Factory
(2 of 4 destinations)

Jade carving of a ship on display at the entrance of the showroom

The Jade Factory was initially not in our itinerary but my companion requested that we go there because of her interest in a jade bracelet.

Jade bracelet and jade earrings

This is what I learned about jade from Even, our tour guide: the stone contains minerals that have healing effects.  It cleanses, detoxifies the body and promotes health and well-being.  Jade jewelry changes color with one's health.  The clearer the jade bracelet or necklace or pendant one wears, the healthier the wearer is.  If one is not feeling well or if any organ in one's body needs healing, the jade darkens because it absorbs toxins from the body.  

We entered the Jade Factory and a guide (from the jade factory) welcomed us and showed us jade carving and the different kinds of jade.  According to the factory guide, jade carving is a skill handed down from generation to generation and therefore, the carvers in the shop are somehow related to each other.  (I'm still wondering if it's true?)

Next, she showed us to a showroom where there are different kinds of jade, jade of all colors, sizes and shapes.  The most common color of jade is green but there are other colors as well: violet, blue, orange, pink, red, white and yellow.  She told us about some history and use of the jade.  Chinese, since ancient times, regard jade as a very important stone, more valuable than gold.  For more reading material about jade, go to Shimmerlings Jewelry. 

Jade mahjong set with the certificate of authenticity

Then we went to the very big store where all types of pieces made of jade are on display.  The intricate jade carvings are really awesome, exquisite, and according to my son, old fashioned, but still very interesting.  There are many varieties of carvings to choose from -- jewelry, statues, figures, ornaments and oh that mahjong set!  One companion bought a mahjong set worth US$500 (did that have healing effects too?) from an original price of US$1000.

One useful tip to tell whether the stone is authentic or not:  Scratch the jade on plain glass. If it leaves a scratch mark, then it's not authentic. That simple!?!  On how to really tell if jade is real or not, read this.

Some jade pieces on display:

Next stop... the magnificent Great Wall!