Appreciation and Collection of Inkstones

Author: Shen Hong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features:
· Identification of Balin Bloodstone and Changhua Bloodstone
In the 1970s, bloodstone was also found in the Chifeng region of Inner Mongolia, but it was not as fine, tough, or water-rich as Changhua bloodstone, making it prone to cracking in dry weather. The blood distribution was mostly in the form of thin, crisscrossing blood veins, scattered and not concentrated, and it was easily oxidized to become dull. Inner Mongolian bloodstone is a close relative of Changhua bloodstone but is vastly less valuable.
Currently, all bloodstones on the market are produced in two main areas: Changhua, Zhejiang Province, and Baling Right Banner, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. They are collectively referred to as Changhua bloodstone and Baling bloodstone. To distinguish between the two, the following methods can serve as references for beginners.
1. Blood Color Identification
Changhua bloodstone has a bright red blood color, distributed in a directional and regular pattern, while Baling bloodstone has a dull red or immature bright red blood color, appearing in a cotton-like distribution.
2. Texture Differentiation
Changhua bloodstone often appears with hard, soft, or mixed hard-soft ground, rarely with pure frozen ground; whereas Baling bloodstone typically appears with pure frozen or pure soft ground, rarely with hard ground or frozen veins. The mineral composition of Changhua bloodstone is complex, with a tough texture and often containing small amounts of impurities. In contrast, Baling bloodstone has a simple mineral composition, is more delicate, and is prone to cracking. Moreover, Baling bloodstone has a high content of photosensitive elements, making it prone to color changes under sunlight.
3. Surface Observation
Changhua bloodstone with quartz sand grains unevenly distributed over a large area is Changhua bloodstone; Baling bloodstone generally lacks sand grains on its surface, and if present, they appear in small localized or linear patterns, resembling fine white sand.
· Which is Better: Changhua Bloodstone or Baling Bloodstone?
Some argue that Changhua and Baling bloodstones should be treated equally, without distinguishing between "better" and "worse." Others believe Changhua bloodstone is superior to Baling bloodstone, as its blood is brighter red compared to the darker red of Baling bloodstone. This difference is indeed noticeable. This is because Changhua bloodstone is often found in the market with a mix of hard and soft ground, while Baling bloodstone is typically marketed with frozen ground, resulting in different contrasts in color, which creates a visual difference. Additionally, the base color of Baling seal stone is relatively "muddy," less striking than that of Changhua seal stone, further contributing to the color contrast. Moreover, Baling bloodstone often exhibits "horse meat red" and other variations, giving the overall impression that Changhua blood is better than Baling blood.
Some have summarized it as "Southern blood, Northern ground," which holds some truth, but it should be noted that both regions have both high-quality and lower-quality stones. In terms of composition, Changhua and Baling bloodstones are largely "family members." Changhua bloodstone is primarily composed of clay minerals like kaolinite and highlandite with cinnabar, while Baling bloodstone is mainly composed of kaolinite with cinnabar.
China is a country rich in cinnabar, and it is possible that third and fourth bloodstone mining areas may be discovered in the future. Therefore, it is best to adopt a balanced approach while analyzing specific cases. Currently, in terms of market price, Baling bloodstone is generally cheaper than Changhua bloodstone.