Jewelry Appreciation

Author: Liao Zongting
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-09-01
Features: The crystal-clear, brilliant, warm, and pure jade and gemstones are regarded as sacred objects due to their noble quality. Since ancient times, they have been deeply loved by the general public. However, historically, jade and gemstones were mainly possessed by kings, nobles, or the wealthy, symbolizing status, power, and wealth. The crown and scepter of the British Empire, representing the monarchy's authority, are adorned with the largest diamond in the world to date and many famous jewels. The imperial seal of the Qin Dynasty in China bears the inscription "Receiving Mandate from Heaven," signifying that whoever possesses it is the true Son of Heaven. These are concrete manifestations of how jade and gemstones symbolize the status, power, and wealth of the nobility.
As human society has developed to the present day, jade and gemstones have entered the homes of ordinary people, adorning their lives with their unique charm and playing an increasingly important role in both material and spiritual civilization.
The use of jade and gemstones has a long history, dating back to the Stone Age. For thousands of years, they have adorned and beautified human life with their distinctive elegance and purity, enriching and enhancing the cultural and artistic treasures of peoples around the world, creating a high level of human civilization. China is one of the earliest countries to develop and utilize jade and gemstones, holding a significant position, primarily reflected in the development and use of jade. According to historical records, China has been mining and crafting jade for over 7,000 years. Moreover, jade has formed an inseparable connection with Chinese culture, influencing the values and customs of generations, the institutional systems of historical dynasties, and a considerable number of literary and historical works. The continuous creation of individual jade pieces and their accumulation over generations, along with the ever-improving techniques in jade production and processing, as well as the political, cultural, and institutional aspects related to jade in China, have all contributed to the unique jade culture of China, forming the "Eastern Art" that shines across the world.
The Chinese people have a special affection for jade and gemstones. Whether in bustling cities or remote villages, when it comes to jade and gemstones, no one is unfamiliar with them and everyone shows reverence, inspiring beautiful aspirations. However, due to various reasons, especially economic backwardness, ordinary Chinese people could only hope for but not attain them. With the deepening of China's reform and opening-up, as society and the economy have advanced at high speed, people's living standards have greatly improved, and their purchasing power for jade and gemstones has also grown. This luxury that embodies people's beautiful wishes has begun to enter ordinary households, greatly driving the rapid development of China's jade and gemstone market.
As the jade and gemstone market gradually flourishes, there have also emerged undesirable phenomena such as chaos, deceit, and various ways of misleading consumers. The occurrence of these issues is partly due to the underdeveloped state of China's jade and gemstone market, but mainly because knowledge about jade and gemstones is not widely. Even the elite seeking knowledge in higher education institutions have limited understanding of jade and gemstones. This situation is inconsistent with the qualities that university students should possess. To popularize knowledge about jade and gemstones and improve the cultural and artistic literacy of students, since the 1990s, many universities in East China (such as Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tongji University, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai University, and Zhejiang University) have successively offered elective courses on "Jade and Gemstone Appreciation," which have been warmly welcomed by students across institutions, with high enrollment rates. Through these courses, students have gained an understanding of the role of jade and gemstones in China's economy, culture, and art; learned about the long history of China's jade and gemstone culture; and strengthened their national pride and sense of honor. Additionally, by studying and appreciating jade and gemstones, which combine natural beauty and artistic craftsmanship, students have unknowingly developed a noble sense of taste, thereby enhancing their cultural and artistic qualities and self-cultivation.