Use of Jadeite Jade Materials in Qing Dynasty according to Jadeite Jade Wares Handed down from Generations and Unearthed

A study on the origin and material characteristics of the jadeite jade wares in Qing Dynasty is systematically conducted for the first time based on the newest discovery of the import records of Guangzhou Customs and on the analysis of the jadeite jade wares collected in museums,auctioned by famous international auction companies and unearthed from nine provinces and cities such as Yunnan Province.It is indicated that the quantity of the jadeite jade materials entering the Chinese market may be quite huge during over 260 years in Qing Dynasty and the most general varieties among them are "merchant quality jade" or "Baidiqing"and "Huaqing" ones,which are somewhat different from that at the present;Guangzhou may be one of the most important import ports of jadeite jade in Qing Dynasty.According to this study,the authors believe that the high quality jadeite jade is a valueable product for the investment.