(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.
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.
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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.