Huanglong Jade: The “Dragon’s Heart” Gem of Yunnan
In the early 2000s, a new star rose in the Chinese jade world from the remote mountains of western Yunnan: Huanglong Jade (黃龍玉), or “Yellow Dragon Jade.” Emerging almost like a modern legend, this stone captivated the market with its warm, sunny yellow and orange hues, exceptional “waxy” luster, and intriguing local folklore. More than just a new material, Huanglong Jade’s story encapsulates a rapid journey from river cobble to coveted treasure, offering a fascinating case study in how a gemstone is “born” into culture and commerce.
二十一世紀初，一顆新星從雲南西部的偏遠山區升起，照亮了中國玉器世界： 黃龍玉 。它幾乎像一個現代傳說般出現，以其 溫暖如陽光的黃色與橙色調、非凡的「蠟狀」光澤以及引人入勝的當地傳說 征服了市場。黃龍玉不僅僅是一種新材料，它的故事濃縮了一段 從河床礫石到備受追捧的寶石的快速歷程 ，為我們研究一種寶石如何「誕生」於文化與商業之中，提供了迷人的案例。
Discovery and Lore: From “Dragon’s Heart Stone” to National Treasure
Huanglong Jade was formally recognized in the early 21st century near Xiaoheishan (Little Black Mountain) in Longling County, Yunnan—a remote, biodiverse area bordering Myanmar. For generations, locals knew it as “Longxin Shi” (龍心石, Dragon’s Heart Stone), believing it to possess medicinal properties for alleviating水土不服 (travel sickness). The stone’s formal name, Huanglong Yu, combines its dominant color (huang – yellow) with the local地名 (Long from Longxing Township, meaning “where the dragon rests”).
黃龍玉在二十一世紀初於雲南龍陵縣的 小黑山 附近被正式發現——這是一個與緬甸接壤、生物多樣性豐富的偏遠地區。世代以來，當地人稱其為 「龍心石」 ，相信它具有緩解 水土不服 的藥用特性。其正式名稱 黃龍玉 ，結合了其主要顏色（「黃」）與當地地名（「龍」源自龍新鄉，意為「神龍安息之地」）。
Its journey from local curiosity to national sensation was meteoric. Around 2003, it was collected as a curious stone for mere pennies. By 2010, its value had skyrocketed, with premium rough material reaching thousands of dollars per kilogram, driven by demand for carvings, bracelets, and collectible pieces.
它從當地的奇石到全國熱潮的旅程堪稱飛速。大約在 2003年 ，它還只是作為一種奇石被收集，價格極低。到了 2010年 ，其價值飛漲，優質原石每公斤價格達至數千美元，這是由於市場對其雕件、手鐲和收藏品的需求所驅動。
Scientific Identity: A Masterpiece of Silica
Mineralogically, Huanglong Jade is not a jade (neither nephrite nor jadeite) but a variety of chalcedony, a cryptocrystalline form of quartz (SiO₂). Its formation is a tale of geological drama: hydrothermal fluids rich in silica permeated fractures in the ancient granite and slate of the Nujiang (Salween) River fracture zone. Over eons, these deposits crystallized, often acquiring their signature yellow-to-red colors from iron oxides (hematite, limonite).
從礦物學上講，黃龍玉並非玉（既非軟玉也非翡翠），而是一種 玉髓 ，即石英（ SiO₂ ）的隱晶質變種。它的形成是一個地質作用的故事：富含二氧化矽的熱液滲入 怒江斷裂帶 古老的的花崗岩與板岩裂縫中。經過漫長歲月，這些沉積物結晶，並常因 鐵氧化物（赤鐵礦、褐鐵礦） 的沁染而獲得其標誌性的黃至紅色調。
Its key gemological properties are:
其主要寶石學特性如下：
- Hardness: 6.5 – 7 on the Mohs scale (similar to quartz, making it durable for carving and wear).
- 硬度： 摩氏硬度6.5 – 7（與石英相似，使其適合雕刻和佩戴）。
- Luster: Its most celebrated feature is an intense greasy to waxy luster, often described as the glossy fat of a salted duck egg yolk—a highly prized visual quality.
- 光澤： 其最著名的特徵是強烈的 油脂至蠟狀光澤 ，常被形容為 鹹鴨蛋黃 般的油潤感——這是一種備受推崇的視覺品質。
- Transparency: Ranges from opaque to semi-transparent; the most valued pieces are “crystal” Huanglong Jade with high clarity and a glowing, honey-like appearance.
- 透明度： 從不透明到半透明；最受珍視的是 「冰種」黃龍玉 ，具有高淨度和蜂蜜般瑩潤的外觀。
- Color: A palette from pale lemon yellow and vibrant egg-yolk yellow to rich honey-orange and deep reddish-brown. The color is often unevenly distributed, creating beautiful, natural gradients.
- 顏色： 色調從淺檸檬黃、鮮明的蛋黃黃，到濃郁的蜜橙和深紅褐色。顏色通常分布不均，形成美麗的自然漸變。
Huanglong Jade vs. Jadeite: Critical Distinctions for Collectors
Due to its rich yellow-orange tones, lower-grade or treated Huanglong Jade is sometimes disingenuously marketed as “yellow jadeite” or “imperial yellow jade.” It is crucial for collectors to understand the fundamental differences.
由於其豐富的黃橙色調，品質較低或經過處理的黃龍玉有時被不誠實地當作 「黃翡」或「帝王黃翡翠」 銷售。收藏家必須理解它們之間的根本區別。
| 特徵 Feature | 黃龍玉 Huanglong Jade (Chalcedony) | 黃翡 Yellow Jadeite |
|---|---|---|
| 礦物組成 Composition | 石英 / 玉髓 (二氧化矽) Quartz/Chalcedony (Silica) | 鈉鋁矽酸鹽 (輝石類礦物) Sodium Aluminum Silicate (Pyroxene) |
| 密度 Density | 較輕 (~2.60 g/cm³) Lighter | 明顯壓手 (~3.33 g/cm³) Substantially Heavier |
| 結構 Texture | 隱晶質，均勻緻密，無顆粒感。 Cryptocrystalline, uniform and dense, no granularity. | 纖維交織或粒狀結構，可見「翠性」（蒼蠅翅）。 Fibrous or granular, may show “jadeite flash” (chatoyancy). |
| 光澤 Luster | 特徵性的蠟狀至油脂光澤。 Characteristic waxy to greasy luster. | 玻璃光澤至油脂光澤。 Vitreous to greasy luster. |
| 熱導率 Thermal Conductivity | 導熱較慢，觸感溫和。 Warms up quickly to the touch. | 導熱快，觸感冰涼。 Feels cool to the touch. |
A simple test: Jadeite will feel significantly heavier than a similarly sized piece of Huanglong Jade.
簡單測試： 同等大小的翡翠手感會 明顯重於 黃龍玉。
The Modern Market: Value, Carving, and Conservation
Huanglong Jade is primarily valued for carving and ornamental objects. Its combination of good hardness, rich color, and that signature luster makes it ideal for:
黃龍玉主要價值在於 雕刻 和 裝飾物件 。其良好的硬度、豐富的顏色和標誌性的光澤相結合，使其非常適合製作：
- Intricate Figurines and Landscapes: Its color gradients are often cleverly utilized in “巧雕” (qiao diao), where the natural patterns form part of the design.
- 複雜的人物與山水擺件： 其顏色漸變常被巧妙地用於 「巧雕」 ，天然紋理成為設計的一部分。
- Bracelets and Pendants: “Crystal” quality material is used for jewelry, prized for its clarity and warm glow.
- 手鐲與吊墜： 「冰種」質地的材料用於珠寶，因其淨度和溫潤光澤而受珍視。
- Scholar’s Objects and Seals: Continuing a long Chinese tradition.
- 文房用品與印章： 延續悠久的中國傳統。
The market has matured since the initial frenzy. Top-tier material with high transparency, pure vibrant color, and fine carving commands significant value. Due to past over-mining, the primary deposit in Xiaoheishan is now protected and regulated, adding an element of scarcity to existing high-quality pieces.
市場自最初的狂熱後已趨於成熟。具有 高透明度、純正鮮豔顏色和精良雕工 的頂級材料價值不菲。由於過去的過度開採，小黑山的主要礦區現在已受到 保護和管制 ，這為現存的高品質作品增添了一份稀缺性。
A Collector’s Perspective
Huanglong Jade represents a dynamic and modern chapter in China’s jade story. For the collector, it offers:
黃龍玉代表了 中國玉故事中充滿活力與現代性的一章 。對收藏家而言，它提供了：
- Accessibility: Compared to antique nephrite or high-end jadeite, it offers a more accessible entry point with striking beauty.
- 可及性： 相比古玉或高端翡翠，它以引人注目的美提供了更易入門的選擇。
- Aesthetic Appeal: Its warm palette and oily luster have a distinct, joyful character.
- 美學吸引力： 其溫暖的色調和油潤的光澤具有獨特、愉悅的特質。
- Cultural Narrative: Its recent discovery and rapid rise add a compelling modern folklore to its identity.
- 文化敘事： 其近期被發現和快速崛起的經歷，為其身份增添了引人入勝的現代傳說。
When collecting, prioritize pieces with excellent craftsmanship that enhances the natural stone, and always be aware of its true identity as a beautiful and distinct chalcedony, not a substitute for jadeite. In doing so, you honor both its geological uniqueness and its colorful place in the ongoing history of Chinese gem appreciation.
收藏時，應優先選擇 工藝精湛、能提升天然石材美感的作品，並始終清楚它作為一種美麗獨特的玉髓的真實身份 ，而非翡翠的替代品。如此，您既能尊重其地質上的獨特性，也能認可其在中國寶石鑑賞歷史長河中所佔據的絢麗一席。
