A master jade carver in Shanghai uses both hand tools and a lathe to shape intricate detail into a valuable work of art. Jade is classified by two prominent categories: soft jade (nephrite) and hard jade (jadeite). Only soft jade was available in China until jadeite was imported from Burma during the Qing dynasty (1271-1368). Jadeite is called Feicui in Chinese. Feicui is now more popular and valuable than the soft jade in China. History of jade dates back to the origin of Chinese civilization. The first Chinese dictionary described Jade (Yu in Chinese pinyin) as beautiful stones by Xu Zhen (about 58-147) in Shuo Wen Jie Zi. Jade artifacts have been discovered from the early Neolithic period (about 5000 BC), represented by the Hemudu culture in Zhejian Province, the Hongshan culture along the Lao River, the Longshan culture along the Yellow River, and the Liangzhu culture in the Tai Lake region.
RELATED KEYWORDS: oskilled; precious; stones; sculpting; sculpture; collected; traded; sold; art; artisans; patience; citizens; Jiangsu; Province; China; Mt.; Sheshan; Chongming; Island; Dingshan; Lake; Shenshuigang; Nanjing; Road; Asia; Asian; art; Orient; countries; tourism; tours; tourists; touring; peoples; population; travel; destinations; adventure; religions; economy; great; nations; world; global; economics; economies; foreign; races; ethnic; cultures; cultural; traditions; traditional; leading; leadership; superpowers; China; Chinese; trade; international; historic; Dynasties; sightseeing; beauty; scenic; world; highlights; favorite; awesome; history; historic; famed; citizens; Mt.; Sheshan; Chongming; Island; Dingshan; Lake; Shenshuigang; Nanjing; Road; Asia; Asian; art; Orient; countries; tourism; tours; tourists; touring; peoples; population; travel; destinations; adventure; religions; economy; great; nations; world; global; economics; economies; foreign; races; ethnic; cultures; cultural; traditions; traditional; leading; leadership; superpowers; China; Chinese; trade; international; historic; Dynasties; sightseeing; beauty; scenic; world; highlights; favorite; awesome; history; historic; fame
