Hello sisters! 👋 I'm your old friend, a long-time admirer of the jade world, especially Hetian jade. While Hetian is my main focus, the unique vibrancy and warmth of jadeite often captivate me. Today, let's talk about the most crucial and often confusing term in jadeite bracelets – 'Zhongshui' (种水)! 💧

Many people, when they think of jadeite, might first think of its color, like imperial green or apple green. But in fact, what truly determines the value and beauty of a jadeite piece is often its 'Zhongshui'. There's a saying in the industry: 'Amateurs look at color, experts look at Zhong.' This highlights the importance of Zhongshui. So, what exactly is Zhongshui? 🤔

🔍 What is the 'Zhong' (Texture) of Jadeite?

Simply put, 'Zhong' refers to the texture, fineness of structure, and transparency of jadeite. It determines the 'skeleton' and 'flesh' of the jadeite. We can imagine it like the texture of a cake: some are coarse and grainy, while others are delicate and melt in your mouth. The 'Zhong' of jadeite is precisely this concept.

Common 'Zhong' classifications, from highest to lowest, can generally be divided into:

  • Glass Jadeite (玻璃种): 💎 The ultimate grade of jadeite! Its texture is extremely fine, with a structure so compact that you can barely see any颗粒感 (graininess). It has extremely high transparency, as clear as glass. Light penetrates strongly, giving it a crystal-clear, radiant, and luminous feel. I once saw a glass jadeite bracelet at an exhibition; its luminescence was absolutely captivating, and the price, well, naturally, it was astronomical, rumored to be in the seven figures! 💰

  • Ice Jadeite (冰种): 🧊 Second only to glass jadeite. Its texture is fine, and transparency is high, but slightly less than glass jadeite. You can see a slight structure with the naked eye, but overall, it presents a clear, ice-like transparency. Ice jadeite often has a subtle, hazy luminescence, giving it a cool and elegant beauty. Many sisters love ice jadeite bracelets because they have both texture and are not overly ostentatious.

  • Glutinous Jadeite (糯种): 🍚 Glutinous jadeite is one of the most common and popular types of Zhongshui in the market. Its texture is like cooked glutinous rice, delicate and warm, with transparency between ice jadeite and bean jadeite. Depending on the level of transparency, it can be further divided into ice glutinous jadeite and glutinous jadeite. Ice glutinous jadeite is closer to ice jadeite, while glutinous jadeite appears warmer. I personally find glutinous jadeite bracelets very appealing and they look great when worn, with a relatively affordable price.

  • Bean Jadeite (豆种): 🌱 The texture is relatively coarse, with visible graininess to the naked eye, like tiny beans stacked together. Transparency is low, and the luster is generally average. Bean jadeite is the most abundant and lowest-priced type of Zhongshui in the market. Although it's not top-tier, if it has good color and exquisite carving, it can still have its unique charm.


🌊 What is the 'Shui' (Water/Transparency) of Jadeite?

'Shui' refers to the transparency of jadeite, which is the degree to which light penetrates the jadeite. In the industry, it's also called 'Shuitou' (水头). The more 'Shui' a jadeite has, the more transparent and vibrant it appears.

We can use 'X fen shui' (X parts water) to describe the 'Shuitou' of jadeite:

* Three parts water (三分水): Light can penetrate about 3 millimeters, which is considered good 'Shuitou'.
* Two parts water (二分水): Light can penetrate about 2 millimeters, considered medium 'Shuitou'.
* One part water (一分水): Light can penetrate about 1 millimeter, indicating poor 'Shuitou'.

Imagine a jadeite with good 'Shuitou' as a clear lake, where sunlight can penetrate the surface and illuminate the bottom; while a jadeite with poor 'Shuitou' is like a muddy pond, where light struggles to penetrate.

💎 Combining 'Zhong' and 'Shui' to Understand the Soul of Jadeite!

In actual appraisal, 'Zhong' and 'Shui' are inseparable. Good 'Zhong' inevitably leads to good 'Shui', but good 'Shui' doesn't necessarily mean good 'Zhong'. For example, a piece of glass jadeite will certainly have excellent 'Shuitou'; however, a piece of bean jadeite, no matter how good its 'Shuitou', cannot achieve the transparency of glass jadeite.

💡 My Small Shopping Tips:

  • Budget First: Choose the appropriate 'Zhongshui' according to your budget. If your budget is limited, consider ice glutinous jadeite or glutinous jadeite, which offer great value for money.

  • Try It On: Personally wear and feel it to see if it matches your skin tone and temperament. Jadeite is about destiny; finding the one that catches your eye is most important.

  • Observe in Natural Light: Observe the 'Zhongshui' of jadeite in natural light, avoiding strong light or colored light sources to prevent being misled.

  • Fluorescence and Gel-like Effect: Good 'Zhongshui' often comes with 'fluorescence' and a 'gel-like effect'. Fluorescence refers to the bright light formed by light refraction due to the tightly arranged crystals inside the jadeite; the gel-like effect refers to the fine texture of the jadeite, where light diffuses internally, presenting a jelly-like, translucent appearance. These are all signs of good 'Zhongshui'!

  • Observe and Learn More: Visit reputable jewelry stores and exhibitions frequently to see real pieces and improve your discerning eye. Consulting experienced experts is also a great way to learn quickly.


Sisters, the 'Zhongshui' of jadeite is a profound subject that requires time and experience to accumulate. I hope my sharing today helps everyone gain a deeper understanding of the 'Zhongshui' of jadeite bracelets. Remember, when buying jadeite, in addition to eye appeal, it's even more important to understand its 'inner quality'! 💖 Next time, let's talk about the color and flaws of jadeite. Stay tuned! ✨

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