fei cui jade

Recent studies show that the gem known throughout the non-Chinese world as "jadeite" jade is actually a rock composed of three major mineral components – jadeite, omphacite and kosmochlor. These components grow in a submicroscopic aggregate with grains so small that normal lab instruments cannot easily determine the true composition. As a result, China's gem trade has adopted the traditional term "fei cui" (pronounced 'fay choy') to cover all the pyroxene jades. Lotus Gemology has done the same starting on 1 July 2023, dropping the names jadeite/omphacite/kosmochlor in favor of the scientifically more correct "fei cui."

Richard Hughes examines the nomenclature of jade, along with the remarkable renaissance in Chinese jade carving that has occured since the 1990s.

Richard Hughes examines the nomenclature of jade, along with the remarkable renaissance in Chinese jade carving that has occured since the 1990s.

Richard Hughes examines the nomenclature of jade, along with the remarkable renaissance in Chinese jade carving that has occured since the 1990s.

Richard Hughes examines the historical sources of jade, along with the remarkable renaissance in Chinese jade carving that has occured since the 1990s.