Gem Lore

Qing Imperial Gemstone Symbolism: Dragon & Phoenix

Qing Imperial Gemstone Symbolism: Dragon & Phoenix

Qing imperial jewelry expressed a complete cosmological system — the five sacred colors in jade, coral, amber, pearl, and lapis; yang dragons in gold and ruby; yin phoenixes in kingfisher...

Qing Imperial Gemstone Symbolism: Dragon & Phoenix

Qing imperial jewelry expressed a complete cosmological system — the five sacred colors in jade, coral, amber, pearl, and lapis; yang dragons in gold and ruby; yin phoenixes in kingfisher...

Qing Imperial Jewelry Techniques: Filigree & Inlay

Qing Imperial Jewelry Techniques: Filigree & Inlay

Qing imperial jewelry was made through three great techniques — huasi gold filigree, gemstone inlay with jade and coral, and vivid cloisonné enamel. Discover the craft secrets and living traditions...

Qing Imperial Jewelry Techniques: Filigree & Inlay

Qing imperial jewelry was made through three great techniques — huasi gold filigree, gemstone inlay with jade and coral, and vivid cloisonné enamel. Discover the craft secrets and living traditions...

Forbidden City Gemstone Treasures: Palace Museum

Forbidden City Gemstone Treasures: Palace Museum

The Palace Museum in Beijing's Forbidden City holds over 30,000 jade objects, imperial phoenix crowns, pearl chaozhu necklaces, and the Qianlong jade mountain — the world's most comprehensive collection of...

Forbidden City Gemstone Treasures: Palace Museum

The Palace Museum in Beijing's Forbidden City holds over 30,000 jade objects, imperial phoenix crowns, pearl chaozhu necklaces, and the Qianlong jade mountain — the world's most comprehensive collection of...

Qing Imperial Seal: Jade & Power Traditions

Qing Imperial Seal: Jade & Power Traditions

The Qing Dynasty's twenty-five imperial seals — carved from the finest white Hetian nephrite — were the most important objects of imperial power, their jade embodying the five Confucian virtues....

Qing Imperial Seal: Jade & Power Traditions

The Qing Dynasty's twenty-five imperial seals — carved from the finest white Hetian nephrite — were the most important objects of imperial power, their jade embodying the five Confucian virtues....

Qing Imperial Crown: Dragon & Phoenix Symbolism

Qing Imperial Crown: Dragon & Phoenix Symbolism

The Qing imperial crown expressed the cosmic order through dragon and phoenix symbolism — five-clawed gold dragons set with rubies and pearls for the emperor, kingfisher feather phoenix crowns for...

Qing Imperial Crown: Dragon & Phoenix Symbolism

The Qing imperial crown expressed the cosmic order through dragon and phoenix symbolism — five-clawed gold dragons set with rubies and pearls for the emperor, kingfisher feather phoenix crowns for...

Qing Imperial Kingfisher Feather Jewelry: Tian-Tsui

Qing Imperial Kingfisher Feather Jewelry: Tian-...

Tian-tsui — the Qing art of applying kingfisher feathers to gold — created an iridescent blue that no synthetic material has replicated. Imperial phoenix crowns, elaborate headdresses, and hairpins made...

Qing Imperial Kingfisher Feather Jewelry: Tian-...

Tian-tsui — the Qing art of applying kingfisher feathers to gold — created an iridescent blue that no synthetic material has replicated. Imperial phoenix crowns, elaborate headdresses, and hairpins made...