Frequently Asked Before You Write
Do you sell jade pendants?
Not yet — we’re building our collection. For now, JadeBasics is a free educational resource helping you learn about jade before you buy. When we do launch products, you’ll be the first to know.
Can you help me identify my jade?
We’d love to help. Send us clear photos (front, back, and close-up of texture) along with any information you have about where and when you got it. We’ll share our best assessment — but remember, for high-value items, we always recommend a certified gemologist.
Do you accept guest posts?
We occasionally feature guest contributions from jade experts, collectors, and artisans. If you have a unique angle on Chinese jade, reach out with your topic idea.
JadeBasics — Your trusted guide to Chinese jade pendants and carvings.
Why JadeBasics Exists
Jade has captivated civilizations for over 7,000 years — yet finding clear, trustworthy information about it in English is surprisingly difficult. Most of what you find online is either marketing fluff from sellers or overly technical gemology papers written for professionals.
JadeBasics bridges that gap. We take the rich tradition of Chinese jade — its history, types, meanings, and craftsmanship — and explain it in plain English that anyone can understand.
What You’ll Find Here
- Jade Education: Learn what jade is, how to tell real from fake, and the difference between nephrite and jadeite — all explained in simple terms.
- Cultural Stories: Discover the meaning behind jade carvings, from Pixiu to Guanyin, and how jade fits into Chinese tradition and feng shui.
- Buying Guidance: Know what to look for before you spend money — quality grades, price ranges, and red flags to avoid.
- Dushan Jade Spotlight: We have a special focus on Dushan jade, the famous jade from Nanyang, China — one of the world’s four great jade varieties that deserves more recognition in the West.
Who’s Behind JadeBasics
We’re based in Nanyang, China — the home of Dushan jade. Being close to the source gives us access to jade artisans, carvers, and raw stone markets that most English-language jade sites can only write about from a distance.
What we’re not: gemologists with lab degrees. What we are: passionate jade enthusiasts who’ve spent years learning from masters, visiting carving workshops, and buying (and sometimes getting burned by) jade in real markets. Every lesson on this site is one we learned the hard way — so you don’t have to.
Our Promise
- No fake expertise. If we don’t know something, we say so.
- No hidden sales pitches. When we recommend a product, we disclose our relationship.
- Updated information. Jade markets change. We update our content when things shift.
Jade has been part of our culture for millennia. We’re here to make it part of yours — without the confusion.
— The JadeBasics Team, Nanyang, China