Gem Lore

Chinese Lapis Lazuli: Imported Blue Stone History

Chinese Lapis Lazuli: Imported Blue Stone History

Explore the history of lapis lazuli in China — from the Badakhshan mines of Afghanistan along the Silk Road, to its role as the Medicine Buddha's gem, its use as...

Chinese Lapis Lazuli: Imported Blue Stone History

Explore the history of lapis lazuli in China — from the Badakhshan mines of Afghanistan along the Silk Road, to its role as the Medicine Buddha's gem, its use as...

Chinese Malachite Traditions: Green Stone Symbolism

Chinese Malachite Traditions: Green Stone Symbo...

Explore China's malachite traditions — the peacock stone's vivid green symbolism, malachite as the essential pigment of Chinese painting, Qing dynasty imperial decorative arts, protective and healing associations, and the...

Chinese Malachite Traditions: Green Stone Symbo...

Explore China's malachite traditions — the peacock stone's vivid green symbolism, malachite as the essential pigment of Chinese painting, Qing dynasty imperial decorative arts, protective and healing associations, and the...

Jade in Chinese Culture: The Stone of Heaven

Jade in Chinese Culture: The Stone of Heaven

Discover why jade became China's sacred stone of heaven — from Neolithic ritual bi discs to imperial burial suits, Confucian virtue philosophy, Taoist immortality, and jade's enduring place in Chinese...

Jade in Chinese Culture: The Stone of Heaven

Discover why jade became China's sacred stone of heaven — from Neolithic ritual bi discs to imperial burial suits, Confucian virtue philosophy, Taoist immortality, and jade's enduring place in Chinese...

Ancient Chinese Gemstones: Jade, Pearl & Beyond

Ancient Chinese Gemstones: Jade, Pearl & Beyond

Explore ancient China's extraordinary gemstone heritage — from Neolithic jade workshops to imperial pearl culture, turquoise, coral, cinnabar, and the philosophical traditions that made jade the stone of heaven.

Ancient Chinese Gemstones: Jade, Pearl & Beyond

Explore ancient China's extraordinary gemstone heritage — from Neolithic jade workshops to imperial pearl culture, turquoise, coral, cinnabar, and the philosophical traditions that made jade the stone of heaven.

Chinese Imperial Seal: Jade & Power Symbolism

Chinese Imperial Seal: Jade & Power Symbolism

Explore the Chinese imperial jade seal tradition — from the legendary Heirloom Seal of the Realm carved from He Shi Bi jade, to imperial seal carving art, the Qianlong emperor's...

Chinese Imperial Seal: Jade & Power Symbolism

Explore the Chinese imperial jade seal tradition — from the legendary Heirloom Seal of the Realm carved from He Shi Bi jade, to imperial seal carving art, the Qianlong emperor's...

Chinese Crystal Traditions: Rock Crystal & Quartz

Chinese Crystal Traditions: Rock Crystal & Quartz

Explore China's ancient crystal traditions — rock crystal as solidified cosmic water, imperial crystal culture, crystal ball divination, amethyst and colored quartz symbolism, crystal in Chinese medicine, and the modern...

Chinese Crystal Traditions: Rock Crystal & Quartz

Explore China's ancient crystal traditions — rock crystal as solidified cosmic water, imperial crystal culture, crystal ball divination, amethyst and colored quartz symbolism, crystal in Chinese medicine, and the modern...