Hey sisters! 👋 I'm your old friend, Xiaoya, focusing on the aesthetics of jadeite in life. Today, let's talk about the most crucial and often confusing concept for beginners when it comes to jadeite bracelets – 'Zhong Shui' (texture and transparency)! Every time I see questions like 'Is this bracelet's texture good?' or 'Is it translucent enough?' in the backend, I know it's time to thoroughly explain it to everyone! ✨

I. What are 'Zhong' and 'Shui' in Jadeite?

Simply put, 'Zhong' refers to the fineness of the jadeite's texture and the size of its crystal particles. It determines the jadeite's structural compactness, transparency, and luster. 'Shui,' also known as 'Shui Tou' (water head), refers to the jadeite's transparency or moistness. It determines the jadeite's vitality and light penetration ability.

An analogy: If we compare jadeite to a bowl of rice, 'Zhong' is the quality of the rice grains and the cooking heat (determining the softness and taste of the rice), and 'Shui' is the moisture of the rice (determining its crystal clear appearance). Good rice is always plump, perfectly cooked, and moist with a good luster, right? 🍚

II. Grading of Jadeite 'Zhong' (from high to low):

  • Glass Kind (Boli Zhong): 💎 The ultimate grade of jadeite! Extremely fine texture, crystal particles almost invisible to the naked eye, extremely high transparency, clear and translucent like glass, with strong luster. Usually free of cotton, or with only a very small amount of fine cotton spots. Highest market value, rare and hard to come by.

  • Ice Kind (Bing Zhong): 🧊 Second only to glass kind, the texture is also very fine, semi-transparent to transparent, cool and clear like ice, but slightly cloudier than glass kind. May contain a small amount of cotton or stone lines internally. Ice kind jadeite is already a very high-grade choice, exuding an ethereal charm when worn.

  • Glutinous Ice Kind (Nuobing Zhong): 🍚 Between ice kind and glutinous kind. The texture is like cooked glutinous rice soup, semi-transparent, with a hazy feel. The granular sensation is more obvious than ice kind but finer than glutinous kind. Very cost-effective, a top choice for many sisters with limited budgets but a pursuit of quality.

  • Glutinous Kind (Nuo Zhong): 🌾 The texture is like cooked glutinous rice, semi-transparent to slightly transparent, with a relatively obvious granular sensation, but still appears fine overall. It is the most common kind in the market and a good choice for entry-level jadeite bracelets.

  • Bean Kind (Dou Zhong): 🌱 Coarse texture, large crystal particles visible to the naked eye, like individual beans. Poor transparency, almost opaque. Lowest market value, but if the color is good, it still has some enthusiasts.


My little tip: Many beginners confuse 'Ice Kind' and 'Glutinous Ice Kind.' It's actually simple: Ice Kind is 'ice cubes,' and Glutinous Ice Kind is 'half-melted ice cubes' – that hazy feeling is key!

III. Tips for Judging Jadeite 'Shui':

'Shui Tou' is closely related to 'Zhong'; the older the 'Zhong,' the better the 'Shui Tou.' To judge 'Shui Tou,' mainly observe the depth of light penetration into the jadeite.

* Good 'Shui Tou': Light can penetrate deeply, and the jadeite appears crystal clear and lively.
* Poor 'Shui Tou': Light can only penetrate shallowly, and the jadeite appears dry and lifeless.

Practical trick: Under natural light, cover a part of the bracelet with your finger and observe how much light passes through the jadeite. For jadeite with good 'Shui Tou,' even with a finger covering it, you can see the flow of light inside. Alternatively, place the bracelet on a newspaper; the better the 'Shui Tou,' the more you can see the text on the newspaper through the jadeite (of course, only glass kind and high ice kind can see text, don't expect it from glutinous kind 😂).

IV. How to Choose the Right Jadeite Bracelet for You?

  • Budget First: Glass kind and ice kind are expensive, with prices ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands or even millions. Glutinous ice kind and glutinous kind are popular choices, where you can find good ones for a few thousand to tens of thousands.

  • Go with Your Gut: Jadeite is about destiny; loving it at first sight is very important. Within your budget, choose the one that captures your heart the most.

  • Prioritize 'Zhong Shui': Between color and 'Zhong Shui,' I personally recommend prioritizing good 'Zhong Shui.' Because 'Zhong Shui' is the 'skeleton' and 'soul' of jadeite; it determines the fundamental value and wearing effect. Even if the color is lighter, as long as the 'Zhong Shui' is good, it will appear elegant and refined. Conversely, jadeite with poor 'Zhong Shui,' no matter how vibrant the color, will appear dull and lifeless.

  • Look and Compare More: Visit physical stores and reputable dealers to see real items and experience the differences in various 'Zhong Shui' firsthand. Communicate more with knowledgeable friends to accumulate experience.


My honest advice: Don't blindly pursue 'perfection,' as natural jadeite often has flaws; cotton and lines are normal. As long as the flaws don't overshadow its beauty and don't affect wearability or durability, they are acceptable. Most importantly, find that 'destiny bracelet' that makes your heart flutter and can accompany you for a long time! 💖

Hope today's sharing helps everyone! If you have any other questions about jadeite, feel free to leave a comment, and I'll answer them one by one! What do you want to see next? Let me know! 👇 #JadeiteBracelet #JadeiteKnowledge #ZhongShui #JadeiteAppreciation #JewelrySharing #MyJewelryDiary #JadeiteBeginnerGuide #HowToChooseJadeite