When choosing jadeite, is it better to have a plain surface or one with carvings?

As we all know, the beauty of jade lies in its quality. Usually, high-quality jadeite is in a "plain" form to show its beauty. "Plain" jadeite is what experts call "bare jadeite", with no carved patterns or decorations on the surface. Plain jade has high requirements on jade quality, and it cannot have any cracks or defects. Although “carved jadeite” looks delicate and exquisite, in fact “there is no flower without a strand”. The complex patterns and decorations are actually used to cover up cracks and other flaws.

The processing of jade jewelry is divided into two categories: "plain" and "carved". Plain jade is jade jewelry without any carved patterns or decorations on the surface. In a narrow sense, jade ring faces, bracelets, and plain flower pieces belong to the category of plain jade; in a broad sense, carvings of Guanyin and Maitreya Buddha also belong to the category of plain jade, because this type of jade jewelry often pays attention to symmetry, has high requirements on materials, and has a smooth surface. Except for fixed carved lines, there will be no extra carvings.

Plain jade can best show the beauty of jade. The beauty of jade lies in its quality, and the shape of jade used as jewelry is very particular. Only jadeite without any flaws or cracks can be made into "plain" jewelry, so plain jadeite has higher requirements for the type, water content, and color of the material itself.

There is a saying in the jargon that “no cracks, no flowers”, and cracks refer to the small cracks on jade. This jargon means that only jade with defects or cracks can be made into carved jade. Many people like the exquisite and translucent carved jade, which uses the combined effects of light reflection and refraction to highlight the three-dimensional sense of jade. The thinned areas often have impurities and other defects. Common leaf-shaped floral pieces with intricate veins are often used to cover cracks or remove superficial fissures.

Therefore, plain jade has more appreciation potential than carved jade, and top-grade jade is basically “plain”. In many famous auction houses, high-end jadeite that can be sold at high prices are almost exclusively concentrated on plain jade ornaments such as necklaces, bracelets, ring faces, and jade buckles, which shows the rarity of plain jadeite and its value potential.

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