Dushan Jade: China’s Enigmatic Multicolor Gem
In the rich landscape of Chinese jade culture, where Hetian Jade symbolizes serene virtue and jadeite represents imperial brilliance, there exists a uniquely captivating stone: Dushan Jade (獨山玉), also known as Nanyang Jade. Celebrated for its vibrant, often chaotic palette of multiple colors within a single piece, Dushan Jade has been carved for over 7,000 years, making it one of the longest-utilized jade materials in China. It is a geological marvel that stands distinctly apart from both nephrite and jadeite, offering collectors a burst of chromatic energy and historical depth.
在中國豐富的玉文化版圖中，和田玉象徵著溫潤的品德，翡翠代表著帝王的華彩，而存在著一種獨特迷人的玉石： 獨山玉 ，亦稱南陽玉。它以其 單塊玉石上常常呈現鮮豔、紛繁的多彩色調 而著稱，開採雕刻歷史超過 七千年 ，是中國利用歷史最悠久的玉材之一。它是一種地質學上的奇蹟，與軟玉和翡翠都截然不同，為收藏家帶來 絢麗的色彩活力與深厚的歷史底蘊 。
A Geological Rarity: The Identity of Dushan Jade
Unlike nephrite (a tremolite-actinolite mineral) or jadeite (a pyroxene), Dushan Jade is a complex anorthosite-based metamorphic rock. Formed through high-temperature hydrothermal alteration of basic to ultrabasic rocks, its composition is primarily calcic plagioclase feldspar (anorthite), mixed with minerals like zoisite, epidote, chrome-epidote, and mica. This unique genesis makes it a true mineralogical mosaic.
不同於軟玉（透閃石-陽起石類礦物）或翡翠（輝石類礦物），獨山玉是一種複雜的 以斜長岩為基礎的變質岩 。由基性至超基性岩經 高溫熱液交代作用 形成，其成分主要是 鈣長石 ，並混合黝簾石、綠簾石、鉻綠簾石、雲母等礦物。這種獨特的成因使其成為一種真正的 礦物學馬賽克 。
Its key identifying characteristics are:
其主要鑑別特徵如下：
- Hardness: 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale (softer than quartz or jadeite).
- 硬度： 摩氏硬度6至6.5（比石英或翡翠軟）。
- Density & Refractive Index: A variable specific gravity (2.73 – 3.18 g/cm³) and refractive index (1.56 – 1.70), reflecting its complex and variable mineral mix.
- 密度與折射率： 多變的比重（ 2.73 – 3.18 g/cm³ ）和折射率（ 1.56 – 1.70 ），反映了其複雜多變的礦物組合。
- Texture & Luster: It has a distinctive granular texture visible to the naked eye or under a loupe, unlike the fibrous structure of nephrite. Its luster ranges from vitreous to greasy.
- 結構與光澤： 具有肉眼或放大鏡下可見的獨特 粒狀結構 ，有別於軟玉的纖維狀結構。其光澤從 玻璃光澤到油脂光澤 不等。
The “Rainbow Stone”: Color and Classification
The most celebrated feature of Dushan Jade is its polychromatic nature. It is common to find white, green, brown, purplish-red, blue, and black all interacting within one specimen. This is due to the varying concentrations of chromophore elements like chromium (green), manganese (pink/purple), and iron (brown, yellow) within its feldspar base.
獨山玉最著名的特徵是其 多色性 。常見 白色、綠色、褐色、紫紅色、藍色、黑色 等多種顏色共存於同一塊標本上。這是由於其長石基底中 鉻（綠色）、錳（粉/紫色）、鐵（褐色、黃色） 等致色元素的濃度不同所致。
Based on the dominant color and quality, it is commercially graded:
根據主色和品質，其商業分級如下：
- 特級 (Superior Grade): High translucency, fine grain, and vibrant emerald-green or sky-blue colors. This grade is rare and commands prices tens of times higher than lower grades. It may be used for high-end jewelry like bracelets or pendants.
- 特級： 透明度高、質地細膩、具有鮮豔的 翠綠色或天藍色 。此等級稀有，價格 可達低等級的數十倍 。可用於製作手鐲或吊墜等高檔首飾。
- 高級 (High Grade): Good translucency with a mix of attractive colors, such as white-green or red-brown-green combinations. Primarily used for fine carvings and collectible ornaments.
- 高級： 透明度較好，色彩搭配美觀，如 白帶綠 或 紅棕帶綠 等組合。主要用於精緻雕件和收藏級擺件。
- 中級與低級 (Medium & Low Grade): Opaque with duller or more chaotic color distribution, often used for larger architectural ornaments or everyday carvings.
- 中級與低級： 不透明，顏色分布較暗或更為雜亂，常用於較大型的建築裝飾或日常雕件。
Dushan Jade vs. Jadeite: A Clear Distinction
Given its green varieties, Dushan Jade is sometimes mistaken for jadeite by newcomers. Key differences dispel the confusion:
因其綠色品種，獨山玉有時會被新手誤認為翡翠。主要區別如下：
| 特徵 Feature | 獨山玉 Dushan Jade | 翡翠 Jadeite |
|---|---|---|
| 結構 Texture | 顯微粒狀結構，肉眼可見顆粒感。 Apparent granular texture, grains visible to the eye. | 纖維交織結構，質地通常更細膩。 Fibrous interlocking texture, usually finer. |
| 顏色分佈 Color Distribution | 常呈 不規則斑雜狀、帶狀 分布，顏色界限相對模糊。 Often irregular, mottled, or banded distribution with blurred boundaries. | 顏色常呈 脈狀、絲狀或團塊狀 分布，色根較明顯。 Color often in veins, streaks, or clumps with more defined “color roots.” |
| 光學現象 Optical Phenomenon | 無「翠性」（蒼蠅翅）。 No “jadeite flash” (chatoyancy). | 表面或斷口常見 「翠性」（蒼蠅翅） 閃光。 “Jadeite flash” (chatoyancy) often seen on surface or fracture. |
| 硬度 Hardness | 較低 (摩氏 6-6.5)，小刀可能刻劃動。 Lower (Mohs 6-6.5), may be scratched by a knife. | 較高 (摩氏 6.5-7)，一般小刀不能刻劃。 Higher (Mohs 6.5-7), generally not scratched by a knife. |
| 密度 Density | 較低且變化大 (2.73-3.18 g/cm³)，手感通常 較輕。 Lower and variable (2.73-3.18 g/cm³), usually feels lighter. | 較高且穩定 (~3.33 g/cm³)，手感 壓手。 Higher and stable (~3.33 g/cm³), feels heftier. |
The Art of Carving and Collecting
Historically, Dushan Jade’s toughness and color variety made it a favored material for ritual objects, seals, and ornaments since the Neolithic period. Modern use leverages its characteristics:
歷史上，獨山玉的韌性和色彩多樣性，使其自新石器時代以來就是製作 禮器、玉璽和裝飾品 的佳材。現代利用則充分發揮其特點：
- 俏色巧雕 (Qiao Se Qiao Diao): This is the pinnacle of Dushan Jade artistry. Master carvers ingeniously utilize the naturally occurring, irregular color patches to design carvings where the colors define the subjects—e.g., green for leaves, white for clouds, red for flowers. Each piece becomes a unique collaboration between artist and stone.
- 俏色巧雕： 這是獨山玉藝術的巔峰。大師匠人巧妙地利用 天然形成的不規則色塊 進行設計，讓顏色決定題材——例如綠色雕作樹葉，白色雕作雲朵，紅色雕作花朵。每一件作品都是藝術家與玉石之間的獨特合作。
- Collector’s Focus: For collectors, value lies in pieces that showcase exceptional color contrast, translucency in the green/blue portions, fine craftsmanship in “qiao diao,” and historical provenance. Large, finely executed decorative plaques or figures are highly sought after.
- 收藏要點： 對收藏家而言，價值在於那些展現出卓越 色彩對比、綠/藍色部位透明度高、「巧雕」工藝精良以及具有歷史傳承 的作品。大型、工藝精湛的裝飾板或人物雕件備受追捧。
- Identification Tip: A key identification marker is observing parallel color bands and white, vein-like fillings within fissures, which are remnants of the mineral-forming process.
- 鑑別提示： 一個關鍵的鑑別標誌是觀察 平行的色帶以及裂隙中白色脈狀的填充物 ，這是其成礦過程的遺跡。
A Living Heritage
To collect Dushan Jade is to appreciate a uniquely Chinese aesthetic of vibrant, harmonious complexity. It does not compete with the monochromatic purity of Hetian Jade or the gemstone intensity of jadeite. Instead, it occupies its own glorious niche—a testament to nature’s playful palette and the ingenious skill of Chinese lapidary artists who, for millennia, have transformed geological chaos into enduring beauty.
收藏獨山玉，即是欣賞一種 獨特的中國美學——絢麗而和諧的複雜性 。它不與和田玉的單色純淨或翡翠的寶石級濃豔競爭，而是佔據了自己輝煌的領域——它證明了自然界的多彩畫板，以及數千年來中國玉雕藝匠將地質的紛繁化為永恆之美的匠心巧思。
