Sixty-five jadeite beads, diameter approximately 8.04 to 10.64mm
Diamonds and diamond beads, totalling approximately 13.90 carats
18 karat white gold
Length approximately 750mm
(Jadeite beads) Hong Kong Jade & Stone Laboratory report numbered KJ93391, dated 11 August 2016, Type A jadeite, natural colour without any resin.
附 香港玉石鑑定中心 證書
Catalogue Essay
The unparalleled status of the jadeite bead necklace in Chinese culture ranks it among the most sought-after form of jadeite jewellery. This is partly because a jadeite bead necklace, in all its simplicity, effortlessly accentuates femininity and complements women of all ages in a traditional cheongsam; but most importantly, it is because the process of fashioning jadeite beads incurred huge wastage and only a boulder of substantial weight and superb quality would be suitable. Needless to say, such exceptional material is extremely scarce. The creation of a supreme jadeite bead necklace thus represents the utmost pursuit for perfection in natural jadeites.
To qualify as a fine jadeite bead necklace, all beads should be in well-proportioned spherical shape, with rich emerald green colour, highly translucent, and arranged in gentle graduation. The most challenging task, however, is to have a strand of perfectly matching beads, which is only possible if the beads are carved from the same jadeite boulder. Such a boulder must be of impressive size and free of major inclusions and internal fractures in order to produce enough beads of considerable size. Usually as many as thrice the desired number of beads is required for a necklace, since only the most suitable and matching beads are selected.
This lot is an excellent example of a fine jadeite bead necklace, bringing together sixty-five stunning natural jadeite beads of matching colour, translucency and texture. With bead sizes ranging from 10.64 to 8.04mm, the raw material from which this piece of jewellery originates is truly one-of-a-kind. The addition of diamond beads to the design add to this traditional jewel an exquisite modernized look while preserving its subtle beauty. This necklace is, without doubt, a collectible jadeite jewel not to be missed.