The more valuable varieties, such as green jade, may be as hard as degree 8 or 9. Jadeites are invulnerable to steel cutting tools made of carbonrundum or diamond power. Objects made of this hard jade are smooth, lustrous, glittering and translucent, and their grains are no longer visible to the naked eye. Third, the value of precious stones lies in their natural color and hue. Some are as white as snow, others are bright red, and still others alluringly green.
Some stones carry an array of colors, which a master artisan can use to good effect.
In Chinese culture, jade symbolizes nobility, perfection, constancy, and immortality. For millennia, jade has been an intimate part of the lives of Chinese. Jade is viewed as an ideal gift for couples making a mutual commitment, particularly for one s children when they get married. It is viewed as the most valuable of all precious stones. Today, traditional forms and modern styles are combined into striking new creations, and modern technology has greatly elevated the quality of workmanship.