Chinese jade refers to the jade mined or carved in China from the Neolithic onward. It is the primary hardstone of Chinese sculpture. Although deep and bright green jadeite is better known in Europe, for most of China's history, jade has come in a variety of colors and white "mutton-fat" nephrite was the most highly praised and prized. Native sources in Henan and along the Yangtze were exploited since prehistoric times and have largely been exhausted; most Chinese jade today is extracted from the northwestern province of Xinjiang.
White "mutton-fat" nephrite jade, Hotan Cultural Museum
Jade rocks in truck in Khotan in 2011
Collecting jade in the White Jade River near Khotan
Neolithic cong, 3rd millennium BC
Hardstone carving, in art history and archaeology, is the artistic carving of semi-precious stones, such as jade, rock crystal, agate, onyx, jasper, serpentinite, or carnelian, and for objects made in this way. Normally the objects are small, and the category overlaps with both jewellery and sculpture. Hardstone carving is sometimes referred to by the Italian term pietre dure; however, pietra dura is the common term used for stone inlay work, which causes some confusion.
Mughal dagger hilt in jade with gold, rubies, and emeralds.
Dish of serpentine with inlaid gold fish, Roman, 1st century BCE or CE, with 9th-century mounts dated to the reign of Holy Roman Emperor Charles the Bald
Han dynasty jade bi
Fatimid carved rock crystal ewer, c. 1000, with 11th-century Italian lid.