The Love of Two Horses ring, brooch and sculpture.(Photo provided to China Daily)
How can we tell good jade from bad jade?
How does an amateur distinguish an interesting piece from a less interesting one?
When it comes to jade, people come and tell me they want to buy a piece, and ask how to look at it. The first thing I always tell them is: do not buy jade. I think you should first learn about something before you take an action. Sometimes people bring me raw materials to evaluate, but their dream and their heart is often broken. For example, people think jade is green outside and inside, but in 99.9 percent of cases, the reality is that it's not. People who sell jade shine up the brightest parts and make people believe the green will show up inside, but it actually doesn't. And they show jade under the brightest possible light. But when cut, it's not green. And the dream is broken.
So jade flatters to deceive, even for experts?
Jade can be deceptive, yes. I learned from my failures many times. When you decide to buy cut jadeite, you have to see it in the morning, evening and afternoon, because the light is different at those times and reveals a different jade each time. Even if you're someone who is really experienced, you have to bring along a teacher.
