How to cut jade? Only then can you make money with every strike!

There is an old saying: "If jade is not carved, it will not become a useful object." From raw materials to finished products, jade processing requires a series of processes. In this regard, the Chinese have unique craftsmanship and operational experience. They can make full use of the raw materials and maximize the characteristics of the raw materials to achieve the most perfect artistic effect while saving materials. The cutting method of jade may be different in different regions, but generally speaking, there are the following steps:

1

Raw material analysis - material inspection

Before processing, you must have a comprehensive understanding of the actual situation of the raw materials, that is, understand the specific conditions of the processing object. This is just like a doctor treating a patient. Only through analysis can we prescribe the right medicine and treat the patient accordingly.

Lighting is used to analyze the internal conditions of the jadeite raw stone (as shown in the figure below). This is an important reference for experts before making a bid. As for this stone, the colored areas are very obvious and the color is also relatively clear, which makes it one of the less difficult types.

2

Slicing refers to the first cut to split the stone.

How you cut is the key. If you don’t cut it well, it is entirely possible that one million will turn into one hundred thousand! After careful observation and judgment, you need to choose the direction for cutting. If there is a crack, the first cut is mainly along the grain.

From ancient times to now, it is known that there are several ways to cut materials:

1. Original method: burning - to explode into small pieces. Disadvantages: it is difficult to control the explosion point and the damage is serious. Later it was improved to partial burning.

2. Wire drawing (wire saw): use iron wire and corundum as abrasives, add water to cool, and pull back and forth to loosen the jade. Advantages: No damage to quality and no waste of raw materials. Disadvantages: Slow.

3. Pedal-operated material disassembler: It has been used since the Qing Dynasty and has now been replaced by electric ones. But it is still used for high-quality jade or in mountainous areas without electricity. A round iron-thallium-copper disk, a rotating shaft, a belt or tape, and a foot pedal to drive the rotating shaft, continuously adding corundum to slowly cut the jade.

3

Slice preparation

After the first cut, the color, crack distribution, water head, etc. of the jade material can be more clearly understood, and preparation for slicing can begin.

Principles of cutting:

(1) Be especially careful with pigments, and make sure not to damage the green color:

If the materials are cut well, used well, and shipped well, greater profits can be obtained, so experience is very important for the cutting master.

(2) Start from the worst part

Before you gain experience, it is better to start with the worst part so that you won’t lose too much.

(3) Make the finished product as large as possible

The larger and rarer the finished product, the higher its value. If you can make bracelets, make them first and use the rest to make small accessories. Those with many cracks can only be made into decorative pieces or carvings.

(4) The principle of dual use

Flower pieces and bare bodies go hand in hand. If possible, make them bare bodies as much as possible, and don't be too strict.

Do you know what tools are used to cut jadeite raw stone? Here are some pictures of the cutting machine for reference:

For the cut corners, start polishing and grinding.

Finally, let me show you one of the finished jade pieces. From a hard stone to a "precious" stone, the stone has been cut a lot during this long process. So everyone must take good care of the treasures in your hands, as they are the result of so much hard work of so many people!

I like jade, and I am also a believer in Buddhism and fate. I believe that there are many friends from all over the world who also like jade. What they lack is a confidant with whom they can share their feelings. I believe that it is fate that you can read so many words.