Jadeite Couple

13/05/2026

Dear Friends and Family,

I am delighted to extend a warm invitation to you all for an exceptional musical event taking place on Sunday, 12 July, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm (doors open at 2:30 pm) at St John’s Church, Sutton Road, Watford.

My wife, Ella Hong — whose remarkable vocal talent continues to captivate audiences — will be performing as a special guest alongside the distinguished Italian musicians Ilario Ferrari and Enrico Olivanti. This intimate concert, titled Conversations in Jazz: Imagine, promises an afternoon of refined improvisation, cross-cultural collaboration, and exquisite jazz interpretations, featuring songs in English, Italian, and Chinese.

The venue offers superb acoustics, and light refreshments including tea, coffee, and cake will be available. Children under 16 enter free of charge, and parking is conveniently located nearby. All are warmly welcome, regardless of musical background.

Your presence would mean a great deal to both Ella and me, as we celebrate this special occasion and support her artistic journey on the international stage. It would be wonderful to share this memorable experience with the people whose friendship and encouragement we value most.

Tickets are available via the following link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/conversations-in-jazz-ilario-ferrari-enrico-olivanti-feat-ella-hong-tickets-1985231657328

We sincerely hope you can join us for what promises to be a delightful and enriching afternoon of live jazz.

With warmest regards,
Philip

This time Ilario is joined by Guitarist and Composer Enrico Olivanti from Germany and singer Ella Hong from Bejing

12/10/2025

12/10/2025

Who is Liu Xiaoqing?
Liu Xiaoqing (刘晓庆; pinyin: Liú Xiǎoqìng), born on October 30, 1950, in Fuling, Sichuan Province, China, is a celebrated Chinese actress, businesswoman, and cultural icon. Known as the “ageless goddess” of Chinese cinema, she has enjoyed a career spanning over five decades, marked by artistic brilliance, entrepreneurial ventures, and personal resilience. As of October 12, 2025, at age 74, she remains active in entertainment, jewelry design, and public life, embodying a dynamic figure in post-reform China. In the 1980s, she starred in over 50 films and TV series, including Reign Behind a Curtain (1983) as Empress (emperor) Dowager Cixi which is both of our favourite.

• Cultural Context: As a prominent Chinese figure, Liu grew up in a society where jadeite symbolizes wealth, purity, and status (e.g., the Jadeite Cabbage in the National Palace Museum). Her roles portraying historical figures like Empress Dowager Cixi, known for jade adornments, imply familiarity and possibly admiration.
• Jewelry Design: In recent years, Liu has ventured into jewelry design, a field where jadeite is a staple in high-end Chinese markets. While specific designs aren’t detailed in public records, her brand likely incorporates traditional materials like jadeite, aligning with her cultural heritage and entrepreneurial flair. Posts on X from 2024 mention her launching a jewelry line, with fans speculating jadeite features due to its prominence in her Qing Dynasty-inspired aesthetic.

12/10/2025

Significance of White Cabbage Jadeite (白菜玉) in Chinese Culture

White cabbage jadeite, often referred to as Jadeite Cabbage (Chinese: 翠玉白菜; pinyin: Cuìyù Báicài), is a renowned Qing Dynasty (19th century) carving made from jadeite, a prized form of jade (known as fěicuì in Chinese). It depicts a realistic napa or bok choy cabbage (白菜, báicài) with green leaves and a white stem, camouflaged insects (a locust and katydid), carved from a single imperfect stone. Housed in Taiwan’s National Palace Museum since 1965 (after surviving wars and relocation from Beijing’s Forbidden City), it symbolizes the fusion of artistry, humility, and auspiciousness in Chinese culture. Its significance lies in cultural symbolism, historical craftsmanship, and philosophical depth, making it one of the museum’s “Three Treasures” alongside the Meat-Shaped Stone and Mao Gong Ding.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance
• Prosperity and Wealth: The name “báicài” (white vegetable) is a homophonic pun for “bǎicái” (hundred wealths, 百财), evoking abundance and financial fortune. In Chinese folklore, cabbage represents richness, especially during festivals like Chinese New Year, where it’s a staple symbolizing layered prosperity (like its leaves). The carving amplifies this, turning a humble vegetable into a talisman for economic stability.
• Purity and Simplicity: The white inner stem signifies moral purity (qīngbái, 清白), honesty, and innocence—virtues central to Confucian ideals. Cabbage’s unpretentious nature reflects humility and groundedness, contrasting with ornate jade pieces. This aligns with Daoist philosophy of finding beauty in the ordinary, as seen in the Qianlong Emperor’s 1775 poem associating vegetables with subtle wisdom.
• Fertility and Family Harmony: The hidden insects—a locust (symbolizing many children and grandchildren, drawing from Tang Dynasty poetry) and katydid (or cricket, representing fertility and joy)—add layers of auspiciousness. Locusts evoke prolific offspring, while crickets signify domestic bliss. Together, they bless the viewer with a harmonious family life, a core value in filial piety (xiàodào). The cabbage’s layered leaves further imply generational abundance.
• Health and Peace: Cabbage symbolizes health and tranquility in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), where it’s valued for detoxifying and balancing qi (vital energy). The carving extends this to spiritual well-being, promoting inner peace amid life’s imperfections.

These symbols trace back to Yuan-Ming Dynasty (13th–15th century) insect-and-plant paintings, popular for their auspicious motifs among common folk, evolving into elite Qing art.

Historical and Artistic Significance
• Craftsmanship and Ingenuity: Carved anonymously around 1889 (likely for Emperor Guangxu’s consort, Lady Jin, and displayed in the Forbidden City), the piece transforms “flawed” jade—cracks, discolorations, and dual tones—into lifelike veins, dewdrops, and frost. The translucent green leaves and opaque white stem mimic a real cabbage, showcasing a “master carver’s” skill in qìyùn shéndòng (vitality through form). This exemplifies Qing jade artistry, where imperfections become strengths, paralleling life’s resilience.
• Imperial Legacy and Survival: As part of the imperial collection, it embodies Qing opulence yet everyday symbolism. It endured the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) and Chinese Civil War (1945–1949), relocated to Taiwan in 1949 by the Republic of China government to preserve cultural heritage. This journey underscores its role as a cultural lifeline, now drawing millions annually to the National Palace Museum.
• Philosophical Depth: The cabbage teaches wénhé (subtlety and harmony), turning the mundane into the profound. As noted in museum interpretations, it warns against overlooking value in the overlooked, echoing Du Fu’s Tang poetry on unrecognized virtues.

11/10/2025

Violet Zi Luolan jadeite bangle.
The term 紫罗兰 (Zi Luolan) in Chinese translates to “violet” or “purple orchid,” and it specifically refers to a rare and highly prized variety of jadeite known as lavender jadeite in English. This gemstone, with its delicate purple to violet hue, holds profound significance in Chinese culture, spirituality, and the global gem market. Its importance spans historical, metaphysical, and economic dimensions, particularly within the context of its origin in Myanmar and its use in all manner of jewelry like the peace knots, bracelets and earrings we shared earlier.

• Chinese Tradition: In China, jade (yu) has been a symbol of virtue, purity, and immortality for over 7,000 years, with violet 紫罗兰 jadeite emerging as a standout due to its unique color. The name “Zi Luolan” evokes the elegance of the orchid flower, a symbol of refinement, humility, and scholarly pursuit in Chinese art and philosophy. During the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), this lavender-to-violet jadeite was especially favored by the imperial court for carvings, seals, and adornments, signifying royal status and divine favor.

• Symbolism: The purple hue aligns with the element of yin (feminine energy) and the planet Mercury in Chinese astrology, representing wisdom, intuition, and protection.

• Burmese Origins: Most violet jadeite comes from Myanmar’s Kachin State (the only significant source), mined since the 18th century. Its rarity (less than 1% of global jadeite output) and the political instability in Myanmar have heightened its cultural value, often tied to trade routes along the Silk Road.

The accompanying note (“Best wishes for you”) make it a thoughtful gift, perhaps for a special occasion like a birthday or promotion.

10/10/2025

Peace knot talisman.
The Imperial Green Jadeite 平安扣 (Píng’ān kòu) talisman is a highly revered object in Chinese culture, blending the rarity and prestige of Imperial Green jadeite with the symbolic power of the 平安扣 (peace buckle or peace knot), a traditional jade ring with a distinctive interlocking design. Where its significance spans cultural heritage, spiritual protection, and economic value, rooted in centuries of Chinese tradition and enhanced by modern appreciation.

• Design: The 平安扣 is a circular jade pendant with a unique, symmetrical pattern featuring an outer ring that interlocks with an inner ring or central knot, resembling a Möbius strip or infinity loop. This design symbolizes eternity, continuity, and the cyclical nature of life.

• Imperial Green Jadeite: This is the most coveted variety of jadeite, characterized by a vivid, translucent emerald-green color (due to chromium content), rated as the highest grade (A jade, untreated). It originates almost exclusively from Myanmar’s Kachin State and was historically reserved for Chinese royalty, particularly during the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912).

• Symbolism of Peace and Protection: The name Píng’ān kòu (peace buckle) reflects its purpose as a guardian talisman. The interlocking design represents an unbroken cycle of safety, harmony, and good fortune, believed to ward off evil spirits and ensure the wearer’s well-being. It’s often gifted during significant life events (e.g., births, weddings) to invoke lifelong protection.

• Feng Shui and Healing: In feng shui, Imperial Green jadeite 平安扣 is a powerful amulet:
• Protection: Placed near the heart (e.g., as a pendant), it’s thought to shield against negative energies and physical harm, aligning with the wood element for growth and vitality.
• Prosperity and Balance: The green color connects to the wealth corner (southeast), while the circular form promotes harmony across all life aspects—health, love, and success.
• Chakra Alignment: Linked to the heart chakra, it’s believed to foster compassion, emotional healing, and resilience, popular in New Age practices since the 1990s.
• Good Fortune: The talisman is especially significant during the Lunar New Year or when entering new ventures, symbolizing a “safe journey” through life’s challenges. Its rarity amplifies its spiritual potency.

This piece is a beautiful example and while it is still classed as imperial green, it falls on the brighter spectrum of this colour class. While no cotton is visible, we do see that the texture contains some small areas of darker green. This is not something to immediately be concerned about unless these areas were darker or even black in nature. Appreciating the piece in its entirety, ‘you get what you pay for’ when compared to its contemporaries.

Of course, if the texture and clarity was closer to perfection, then this piece would fetch a heaven sent price, but investors in and lovers of jadeite should not shy away from an item of this calibre because if anything, this lets us know that it has not been chemically treated in any way and is a natural product.

Therefore, our humble advice is that man made or chemically treated stones must be avoided at all times because many Chinese believe that the chemical treatments involved in their manufacture ultimately have a negative impact on the wearer’s health and even their luck.

10/10/2025

These exquisite violet hulu earrings are a pair of dangle-style jadeite drops, crafted with high-quality, natural materials in a luxurious, culturally inspired design. They embody traditional Chinese symbolism—particularly the double gourd (hulu) motif—while incorporating modern elegance through sparkling accents.

The term 紫罗兰 (Zi Luolan) in Chinese translates to “violet” or “purple orchid,” and it specifically refers to a rare and highly prized variety of jadeite known as lavender jadeite in English. This gemstone, with its delicate purple to violet hue, holds profound significance in Chinese culture, spirituality, and the global gem market. Its importance spans historical, metaphysical, and economic dimensions, particularly within the context of its origin in Myanmar and its use in jewelry like the earrings you shared earlier.

• Chinese Tradition: In China, jade (yu) has been a symbol of virtue, purity, and immortality for over 7,000 years, with violet 紫罗兰 jadeite emerging as a standout due to its unique color. The name “Zi Luolan” evokes the elegance of the orchid flower, a symbol of refinement, humility, and scholarly pursuit in Chinese art and philosophy. During the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), this lavender-to-violet jadeite was especially favored by the imperial court for carvings, seals, and adornments, signifying royal status and divine favor.

• Symbolism: The purple hue aligns with the element of yin (feminine energy) and the planet Mercury in Chinese astrology, representing wisdom, intuition, and protection.

• Burmese Origins: Most violet jadeite comes from Myanmar’s Kachin State (the only significant source), mined since the 18th century. Its rarity (less than 1% of global jadeite output) and the political instability in Myanmar have heightened its cultural value, often tied to trade routes along the Silk Road.

The accompanying note (“Best wishes for you”) make them a thoughtful gift, perhaps for a special occasion like a birthday or promotion.

10/10/2025

This elegant and vibrant glass species jadeite ring appears as a high-end, multi-gemstone piece, crafted in 18K white gold with a modern, floral-inspired design. The band is slender and polished to a bright shine, featuring subtle diamond accents along the shoulders for added sparkle. The overall style is feminine and statement-making, suitable for special occasions or everyday luxury, with a focus on color harmony and gemstone contrast. It’s a translucent, cabochon-style gem with a soft, pearly white-to-milky blue sheen, displaying the signature adularescence.

Again, as you can see, not all jadeite is green in nature. While some lovers of jadeite might refer to this cabochon ring as high ice species’ or “true ice” jadeit, we would say that this already falls within the category of 玻璃种 (Bōlí zhǒng), also known as glass species jadeite, is the highest grade of jadeite based on transparency and texture. It features exceptional clarity resembling clear glass, with extremely high translucency that allows light to pass through almost unobstructed, creating a crisp, glowing appearance. The texture is ultra-fine and smooth, with minimal to no visible “cotton” (mián, fluffy internal inclusions) or crystalline structure—any cotton present is nearly invisible to the naked eye. This grade often exhibits additional desirable traits like a “jelly” (gel-like) or “steel” (high-refraction) quality, enhancing its luster and making it rare. In the market, glass species holds the top position as the most premium and sought-after type, commanding the highest prices due to its scarcity.

08/10/2025

This imperial green jadeite ring features a striking rectangular jadeite stone more suited to our male customers with a vivid green color, beautiful texture, exceptional clarity and a smooth, polished surface that highlights its translucency.

The stone is set in a white gold band, which is adorned with a border of sparkling diamonds, adding elegance and contrast. The diamonds are meticulously arranged around the jadeite, enhancing its brilliance.

The craftsmanship emphasizes the Burmese jadeite’s natural green beauty and the luxurious design of the setting.

Pay particular attention to the depth of the cut which is extremely decadent, and not possible with jade from other parts of the world like Guatemala or Africa. This is either because it will appear too dark or lack this rich and exuberant imperial green, and in some case change colour shade dramatically.

If the cut of a jadeite piece lacks this depth and is extremely fine, sometimes recent Guatemalan jade can come close to a more acceptable green shade, but the price should decrease accordingly and those who appreciate this treasure will still be able to distinguish a difference.