Old Mine Jadeite

Fine carved jadeite jade brooch-pendant and earrings set in 18k.

All three carvings are Old Mine (老坑) ‘lao keng’ green jade, a texture with extremely fine grain and as rare as ever.

It approximates imperial green jade, something hard to account for in carved jadeite.

The carvings are not big, but the three bats are carved with elegance and not shallow dippings in carvings.

Its low relief is expertly contoured, with depth the ‘bat’ is poised and speak of carvings turned well into jewelry.

The brooch-pendant is akin to antique standards of refinement, its Edwardian style scroll-and-ribbon paved with round and baguette diamonds very finely.

Its back has an opening to reveal the thickness of the carving’s quality – this is a deterministic touch insisted upon by jade collectors to really know the quality of the 老坑 jade.

A hidden bail is tucked under its mount where it will be worn as a longitudinal pendant.

The ‘filigree’ in the earrings is actually delicate wire work and not a harsh bezel, set open back.

Both in the ear studs and brooch, the bat’s shape intertwines with the cloud, the gentler shape of something luminous even from afar.

Wearing the two pieces of jewelry together forms a visual delicacy with their innate value to completion.

The strength of this set is certainly the provenance of its material, there are no two ways about this!

This set is distinguished for showing us 老坑 jade in which precious material is agreeably ‘sacrificed’ (carved), vivid green and not dark.

(Much of ‘lao keng’ is truly dark away from light, but when held up to light it fascinates with its superior translucency-grain.)

This jade set is suitable for collectors of jade in carvings – it is a charming ‘fall’ into jewelry.

The brooch-pendant spans 50mm by 23mm; the earrings measure 27mm by 16mm.

Diamonds are superb, weighing 2.72ctw.