Translucent Carved Jade Pendant

Fine jade pendant set with carved jadeite jade and accented with diamonds in 18k.

The jade is celadon with apple green patches.

Finely textured and translucent, the carving is thick and substantial.

Specifically, its texture is ‘oily’ (糕) over ‘milky’ (糯), a beautiful distinction in jadeite’s expression.

Spanning 5cm tall, the carving is of a finger citron with ruyi, coins, and a monkey, archetypal wealth and health motifs.

Both sides are carved distinctly, because the material allows and the outcome can be finely nuanced.

The mounting makes use of the breathing gaps in the carving, a nod to Cartier’s carved jade pendants.

This is one of those carvings in pendant size jadeite that has achieved a look of fine antiquity, despite not being an antique.

For rarely will an actual antique piece depict this far translucency.

The setting flatters the carving – this is an extremely elegant pendant and will be splendid worn at any length, for it fulfils that look of elegance we see of laissez-faire antiquity.

With just a velvet cord, the material alone speaks.