Xiu Jade - The Hidden Gem of Chinese Jade Art
In China, jade has always been more than just a stone, it is a symbol of beauty, virtue, and harmony.
For thousands of years, the Chinese people have cherished jade as the “essence of heaven and earth.”
Among the many varieties found across China, four types of jade are especially renowned: Hetian Jade (和田玉) from Xinjiang (Also found in Qinghai, Guangxi), Dushan Jade (独山玉) from Henan, and Xiu Jade (岫玉) from Liaoning and Lantian Jade (蓝田玉) from Shanxi.
While Hetian and jadeite are the best known, Xiu Jade remains a quiet treasure, more colorful, more expressive, and far more accessible.
The Gentle Beauty of Xiu Jade
Xiu Jade (岫玉, Xiùyù) comes from Xiuyan County in Liaoning Province, in the northeast of China.
It is one of the oldest jades in Chinese history, used in carvings dating back over 5,000 years to the ancient Hongshan Culture.
Among these, the most popular and highly valued jades in China and internationally are Hetian Jade and Jadeite (翡翠, mainly comes from Myanmar) , known for their rarity and brilliance.
Unlike jadeite or Hetian jade, Xiu Jade is mainly serpentine, a soft mineral with a waxy, silky luster.
A World of Color and Character
Xiu Jade natural diversity of colors. Each piece is unique, displaying the beauty of the earth in its own way:
Light Green / Apple Green — soothing and classic
Golden or Olive Yellow — warm and full of life
Milky White — soft and pure
Red Xiu Jade — vibrant, symbolizing happiness and prosperity
Multicolored patterns — with ink-like dots (点墨) or blue-green waves (青花) that look like paintings within stone
A Stone Loved by Artists
Although Xiu Jade is not as famous as Hetian or jadeite, it has quietly nurtured a community of incredibly talented carvers.
Across Liaoning and northern China, many skilled artisans dedicate their lives to sculpting Xiu Jade into lifelike figures, flowers, and spiritual symbols.
The stone’s softness allows for delicate craftsmanship, graceful folds in clothing, lifelike petals, serene facial expressions, all captured in shimmering color.
Their work shows that art doesn’t need to be expensive to be extraordinary.
That’s why I want to share more about Xiu Jade sculptures - to help more people appreciate this art form and the gifted hands behind it.
Affordable, Artistic, and Full of Spirit
Because Xiu Jade is less well-known in China and internationally, it remains much more affordable than other jades, making it the perfect choice for those who love natural beauty and Chinese craftsmanship.
Discover Xiu Jade with me
Through the Xiu Jade collection, I hope to introduce you to the world of Xiu Jade sculptures, colorful, elegant, and alive with history.