Two years ago my son and hubby went to the Great Big Wall in Beijing, while I went off painting in that city. Told them to take a lot of pics. They came back with about 400 pics! Enough for you? At the wall there are also several other things located, like tombs of China's royalty (yes, they had a king!), a den with about 40 panda bears, and a jade factory.
Jade is the gold of China. One of the stories was that a king wanted jade
and initially the owner refused to sell it to him. The king kept pursuing him
and the owner got a city as payment!
What we see most of the time in America labeled as "jade"
is really jade dust that is compressed.
It's still the real thing, but one can compare it to compressed wood.
This is how they cut the bracelet.
It makes sense when you see it.
But I did not realize befor how much jade is needed
for one bracelet!
This is the finished result. Jade is more valued that gold or diamonds.
In China originally soft jade was found and mined.
It was not until 12 70 that Jadeite was imported from Burma.
Now jadeite is more popular and has more value than soft jade.
I love this pair of sculpted horses.
And jade birds
Wouldn't you love to drink tea from a jade teapot?
You thought that jade was green?
Apparently there is also red jade.
A red hat with flowers. What a skill!
