About Chinese Jewelry

Carved jade is perhaps the most well-known form of Chinese jewelry.

Like Chinese culture, the country's traditional jewelry is rich in history and meaning. Jade, a precious stone, is perhaps the most iconic material used for Chinese jewelry. Modern jewelry makers are also known for incorporating the ancient art of Chinese calligraphy into their art.

Materials

Common materials used in Chinese jewelry include cords, jade, gold and enamel, according to the Cultural China website.

Methods

There are several common methods for making Chinese jewelry. Chinese knotting involves brightly colored cords tied in patterns representative of common Buddhist symbols. Jade carving is also a common method for creating pendant jewelry. Jade is also inlaid in gold. Cloisonné is another method of jewelry making native to China. Colored pieces of enamel are laid over a metal base. The piece is then fired in a kiln. The cloisonné method is commonly used to make necklaces, bracelets and beads.

Meanings

According to the Cultural China website, Chinese jewelry is typically used as a talisman, which is thought to bring a particular mood or event to the lives of the wearer. Jade is commonly used to bring luck. Gold jewelry helps reserve resources for later use.

Common Stones

Jade is a bright green stone commonly used in Chinese jewelry. According to the Jade Mart website, there are three types of jade: type A, B and C. Type A is the rare natural jade, while the other two types are synthetic.

Decorations

Calligraphy, the art of drawing traditional, Chinese symbols, is commonly translated into modern jewelry. Characters each express their own phrase or meaning.

References

• Cultural China: Chinese Jewelry Making Techniques
• Jade Mart: Information on Chinese Jade Jewelry
• Sorella Jewelry Studio: Chinese Symbol Jewelry