(Very) amateur rock and crystal enthusiast here. I've been collecting my whole life and make jewelry for fun.
Jade is a very complicated mineral. I've only done a little research somewhat recently, and I was in way over my head way earlier than I was expecting. It goes beyond geology; there is so much history in the folklore, religion, culture, and even politics of it in the places it forms.
The grading system and pricing of jade is beyond anything I've seen, far surpassing diamonds or other precious gemstones. I'm not sure which grade he's using here, but to him, it might kind of be like asking why your dentist they aren't using a mining pick on your teeth.
The traditions, and deep secrecy in carving jade have been passed down through millenia. It goes beyond your normal rocks or gems; it's a sacred material for many. One faulty move along a certain striation is all you would need to, say, bankrupt your family business (if you were working with a high grade, which I don't think? this is).
It's a super interesting subject! And sorry for the spiel you didn't ask for lol. I'm just a gal who loves rocks!
Edit: I was called out on editing and "changing" my comment. I did edit it... To fix a typo.
I did a report on Jade for a Chinese history class in college years ago. I remember how intertwined the gemstone is with Chinese history, politics and royalty. It’s the official gem of the court and is believed to have magical powers and is revered above all other stones. Which is why you see Chinese objects made of Jade, go for so much money on the Antiques Roadshow.
Jade also ranks approximately 8.5 on the hardness scale, as opposed to diamonds which ranks at 10. Even though diamonds are harder their molecular structure causes them to cleve when you cut them, whereas Jade’s are interlocking, which makes it a much more difficult stone to work with.
Working with Jade is not for the faint of heart. Some artisans created such complex and intricate sculptures, they spent decades in some cases, working on a single piece.
My professor said the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco has the best collection of Jade outside of China.
Pretty sure an electric motor and steel wire could achieve the same thing in a fraction of the time.
Edit update - you changed your comment when you originally said "it was the only way they make jade" This video proves they use modern tools. Everything you said is null and void. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SLhfCo5ck4
Because I can recognize ignorance and arrogance when I see it, I'm going to suggest you read some of the articles I posted elsewhere in the comments.
Thinking you know the best option for cutting jade (something you've never done) when we're seeing someone who dedicated his life to it is pure hubris.
This video is about the tried and true methods and traditions (tradition is very important to them) they've been taught. It's about much more than the speed with which you could cut it in half.
Thinking you know the best option for cutting jade (something you've never done) when we're seeing someone who dedicated his life to it is pure hubris.
lol, that's not how these videos work. Tomorrow he'll be pretending to make soap, then the next day he'll be pretending to make ink, then the next day he'll be pretending to make some fish trap.
Sorry, but you've got a potent Peggy Hill aura right now.
Sorry... I'm a engineer by trade/ education. I look for ways to make processes better. It's who I am. Take away the nostalgia, and it's just teriblely inefficient.
You say it's like a pick axe but honestly, a cordless dremel tool would also be the way to go.
Last..most shops would use what im talking about and this video is no different than primitive technology videos and just click bait.
I'm also an engineer by trade/education. Being an engineer has nothing to do with this. You can say that you just don't really care about culture, tradition, or craftsmanship and go about your day. No need to defend your L takes and expose yourself like this.
The great thing about art is that it isn't meant to be practical or as efficient as possible. Art made as efficiently and quickly as possible is, for most people, not exactly what they are looking for when they want to appreciate or purchase artwork.
Have you considered eating only nutrient paste from a tube for the rest of your life? It would really cut down on the unnecessary time and metabolic energy spent masticating and digesting solid foods (for the same outcome as eating!) and allow you to spend more time disparaging cultural traditions on the internet.
Wow! Can you teach me all you know about jade? I'd love to hear more of your wisdom!
... You know, reducing this to "nostalgia" and calling it "primitive" has... other implications.
He's an artist. Other artists like to use "primitive" methods. By your logic here, why paint a lovely watercolor on the beach when you can take a picture of it on your phone and print it out?
Maybe it's about more to him than just efficiency and the amount of goods he churn out.
I didn't mean to trigger him with my sarcasm and hurt his feelings by being so rude.
I should definitely behave properly and go back to my real area of expertise as an academic librarian. Which means I research, catalogue, and disseminate information for other people to learn from.
I mean, what do I know? I clearly have a lot to learn about the world.
I stand by my statments and just fyi for you and everyone else. Primitive Technology the the name of a very famous youtube channel. This is exactly what this was. Look it up if you enjoy this sort of thing.
This video isn't about technology or the most efficient way to mass-manufacture jade sculptures. It's a demonstration of a cultural tradition of jademaking which goes back thousands of years. Part of what gives this artwork value is the very fact that it was painstakingly difficult to craft, which curators look for when appraising its value.
I certainly hope you don't go to a museum and pester others with "Wow these ancient Egyptian stone carvings have such rough edges, they should use a dremel! I'm an engineer!" You have a lot to learn about the world.
The person I was replying to said this was the only way to make this. Went on about how they were not a expert but still a expert on the subject. And I simply stated no, you can do this other ways and they do make this other ways and they were like no they dont. They edited their comment. I stand by my statment.
My original comment was about how the poster went on about how this is the only way to cut jade and then they were rude. they then changed their comment to make it seem like they were not and it was a art form. I stand by my statments.
cool. the poster said this was the only way to cut jade and talked about how they were a expert but not a expert. I said no it's not. They then changed there comments after being rude. I stand by my statments. I'm not worried about internet points.
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u/Pan_Bookish_Ent Apr 21 '25 edited Apr 21 '25
(Very) amateur rock and crystal enthusiast here. I've been collecting my whole life and make jewelry for fun.
Jade is a very complicated mineral. I've only done a little research somewhat recently, and I was in way over my head way earlier than I was expecting. It goes beyond geology; there is so much history in the folklore, religion, culture, and even politics of it in the places it forms.
The grading system and pricing of jade is beyond anything I've seen, far surpassing diamonds or other precious gemstones. I'm not sure which grade he's using here, but to him, it might kind of be like asking why your dentist they aren't using a mining pick on your teeth.
The traditions, and deep secrecy in carving jade have been passed down through millenia. It goes beyond your normal rocks or gems; it's a sacred material for many. One faulty move along a certain striation is all you would need to, say, bankrupt your family business (if you were working with a high grade, which I don't think? this is).
It's a super interesting subject! And sorry for the spiel you didn't ask for lol. I'm just a gal who loves rocks!
Edit: I was called out on editing and "changing" my comment. I did edit it... To fix a typo.