Tridacna Shell: The Giant of the Sea
The tridacna gigas is the largest species of clam on the planet, and one of the seven treasures of Buddhism.
The Kingfisher Feather Jewelry of Ancient China
The first time man laid eyes on a kingfisher, it must have looked like a gemstone peering out from the reeds.
Turquoise: Precious Treasure in Global Culture
The color of rivers flowing in central Asia, genuine turquoise is both rare and stunning.
Turquoise: Fossil from Pine Trees
As a stone used by legendary goddess Nuwa for repairing the pillar of heaven, turquoise has never lacked a connection with immortals.
Researched by Ariel Tian.
Tourmaline: Gemstone of the Rainbow
A stone that comes in a veritable rainbow of colors, tourmaline has long been treasured in Chinese jewelry.
Chasing Wisdom: Pearls in Chinese Culture
If you’ve ever seen a dragon-dance, you’ll know that the dragon chases a ball. This ball, in fact, is a pearl.
Lapis Lazuli: The Stone of Heaven
Lapis is often flecked with bits of pyrite that shimmer like the stars emerging from a dusk sky.
Chinese Lacquer Work: From Poison Comes Beauty
At the intersection of painting, woodworking, and sculpture lies the art of Chinese lacquer.
Chinese Jade (Part 3) : Symbolism and Ceremony
In our quest to understand Chinese people’s deep fondness for jade, we turn to their ritual use.
Chinese Jade (Part 2) : Material and Technique
From obtaining the rough material to polishing the finished piece, jade working in ancient China took labor, discernment, and almost impossible patience.
Chinese Jade (Part 1) : Its Folklore and Cultural Significance
To begin our three-part series on jade, we need to understand why it is so highly regarded by the Chinese.
Chinese Enamel and Cloisonné Jewelry: Painting with Glass
Enamelwork and cloisonné, known in China as “jingtailan” or “fa lang,” is made with colored glass on metal.
Crystal in Ancient China: The Brightness of Three Suns
By dint of sheer coincidence or not, crystals were involved in a couple of amusing incidents in Chinese history.
Coral in Chinese Jewelry: A Rosy Tree From the Sea
This week on the DLGC: Coral has been revered the Chinese for millennia not only for its fanciful shapes, but also for its rarity.
Ivory, Bone, and Horn in Chinese Jewelry
This time on the Divine Land Gemstone Compendium, we're following the herd...
Amber in Ancient China: Tears of a Tiger
Amber was believed by the Chinese to come from the interred soul of a tiger. Read on to discover more of its history.
Agate & Carnelian: Straight From the Horse's Brain
The Chinese name for agate is "ma nao," meaning “horse brain,” which turns out to have spiritual implications.
Edited by Christine Lin. Researched by Ariel Tian.
Introducing the Divine Land Gemstone Compendium
The more I learn about the jewelry in ancient China, the more I realize there’s more to uncover. So I'm introducing the Divine Land Gemstone Compendium.