Xiu jade, a native gemstone, derives its name from Xiuyan Manchu Autonomous County in Anshan City, Liaoning Province, and is one of China’s four famous jades. It can generally be classified into two categories. One is the aged white jade, also known as Huangbai old jade, with its seed material referred to as Hemoyu, known for its rarity and strong collectible value. It belongs to the translucent jade variety, characterized by its simple and solemn texture, with a pale yellowish-white hue, representing a precious unprocessed jade. The other category is Xiuyan green jade, also known as Wagou jade. It belongs to the serpentinite ore category, characterized by its solid and mellow texture, delicate and rounded, often displaying shades of green to aquamarine. Among them, deep green and minimal flaws are considered prized qualities.
The methods to distinguish between jadeite and xiu jade mainly include the following three:
1. Hardness test: Xiu jade exhibits a noticeably lower hardness compared to jadeite. Scratching the surface of xiu jade with a sharp object will leave marks, whereas jadeite remains undamaged.
2. Gloss observation: Xiu jade possesses a distinct oily or waxy luster, while jadeite exhibits a glassy sheen.
3. Specific gravity comparison: Xiu jade is slightly lighter than jadeite of the same volume.
