gems, jade, jadeite, fei cui, Mesoamerica, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mayans, Olmecs, Aztecs, archaeology, history, archaeogemology, Pre-Columbian jade; Costa Rica; Maya; exchange; iconography

The paper presents evidence for the definition and origin of a figural jade theme that is common in Costa Rica. It consists of a standing figure in a ritual pose, and it is argued that it originated in the context of the jade exchange network linking the ancient jade artisans of Pre-Columbian Costa Rica to their counterparts in the Maya region of Mesoamerica. In the Maya region, archaeologists have referred to this theme as “Charlie Chaplin” figurines because of the characteristic pose with knees bent and feet pointing to the sides. It is proposed that this theme was pan-Mesoamerican, that it may very well have originated in the Middle Preclassic Olmec tradition, and that it appears to be the template for the so-called Ruler-as-World Axis theme defined for the Olmec and Maya traditions by various scholars. The paper suggests that this theme was adopted by the jade artisans from Pre-Columbian Costa Rica, who then adapted to the local artistic canons through the addition of stylistic traits typical of their tradition, and who may have used it to derive a new theme, made up of a blend of the older avian celtiform (avian axe-god) pendant theme and the diffused “Charlie Chaplin” theme, resulting in the anthropomorphic celtiform (anthropomorphic axe-god) pendant theme. The exchange network that led to the spread of this theme strongly points to the need for a more inclusive framework, a Middle American framework (distinct from Central America and Mesoamerica), to the study of ancient Pre-Columbian societies of Mexico and Central America, and possibly beyond, given the possible presence of this theme in Colombia.

gems, jade, jadeite, fei cui, Mesoamerica, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mayans, Olmecs, Aztecs, archaeology, history,

Between 1974 and 1975, following the location of jade deposits in Antigua Guatemala, the jade industry experienced a rebirth. Today the Maya would be surprised by the continued vitality of this stone, which has formed part of the Mesoamerican tradition and has been venerated by many ancient cultures.

gems, jade, jadeite, fei cui, Mesoamerica, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mayans, Olmecs, Aztecs, archaeology, history,

Stones or gems considered highly valuable, chalchihuitl and xihuitl (jades and emeralds), appear many times in the codices as metaphors for that which is beautiful and precious. In Nahua songs and poems, the chalchihuitl, a precious reality, is identified with the heart and even with the human person. Reference to the transience and passing of rulers and of all that exists is reiterated again and again through the metaphor of jade.

gems, jade, jadeite, fei cui, Mesoamerica, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mayans, Olmecs, Aztecs, archaeology

The extraordinary collection of lapidary art from the ancient and long-lived city of Tak’alik Ab’aj, located on the south-western bocacosta of Guatemala, masterfully reflects the great achievements attained by one of the most important centres of commercial and cultural exchange of the Preclassic period south of the Maya area.

gems, jade, jadeite, fei cui, Mesoamerica, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mayans, Olmecs, Aztecs, geology

Jade was not only highly valued for its rarity and beauty in ancient Mesoamerica, it was also something sacred, imbued with concepts of abundance and life that included water, maize and even the soul. In offering deposits, jade also held a cosmic significance directly related to the centre and the world. Although much of this symbolism may correspond to the Olmec Preclassic, it can also be perceived among the Maya and other cultures of the Classic and Postclassic periods of ancient Mesoamerica.

gems, jade, jadeite, fei cui, Mesoamerica, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mayans, Olmecs, Aztecs, geology

Jade deposits are scarce in the world, and in Mesoamerica the necessary geological conditions for their formation existed. These deposits constituted the source of the material used for lapidary works for nearly 3,000 years, from the Preclassic period until the Spanish conquest.

gems, history of gemology, agate, amber, coral, corundum, ruby, sapphire, tourmaline, beryl, jade, nephrite, fei cui, pyroxene jade, amphibole jade, pounamu, lapis lazuli, early gem trade, gold, spinel, Badakhshan, tanzanite

Rare and precious stones have always aroused the desire of man. They have been a source of fascination and their perceived value has fluctuated strongly over the millennia. Even today, religion and tradition still influence preferences as well as the changing taste and zeitgeist does. In this year’s ‘Precious Stones’ theme book, renowned scientists and authors provide hard facts and their opinion; giving an exciting insight into this fascinating substance, from detailed descriptions of major gem groups and legendary discoveries to their position in society and religion throughout different cultures. Another focus in this year’s show are the traces of mammoths and cave lions back to time of the planet’s last ice age. What did the landscape look like? What types of creatures inhabited the land? How did the ice change today’s landscape? The articles in the book have all the answers as well as an extended documentation on the discovery of ice age mammoths in the Siberian permafrost. This extensive and well researched article covers the history of the most important gems around the world.

gems, jade, jadeite, fei cui, Mesoamerica, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Mayans, Olmecs, Aztecs

Jade held ritual, political and economic importance for all the civilizations of Mesoamerica: from the Preclassic to the Postclassic periods, green jade pieces were carved with great mastery. Thanks to its great resistance to weathering, archaeological objects carved from this stone preserve their visual qualities, their lustre and their colour, even after remaining buried for centuries.

gems, jade, jadeite, fei cui jade, Burma, Burmese jade, dyed jadeite, fei cui jade

Brief lab note about dyed jadeite jade, including the fluorescence of the dye.

gems, jade, jadeite, fei cui, Burma, Myanmar, China, omphacite, kosmochlor, Broken Bangle

The discovery of bright green omphacite jade raised many questions in gemmology, not only regarding its identification but also concerning the very definition of jade (Liu et al, 2010, 2011; McClure, 2012). Although micro- Raman spectroscopy is widely used in characterizing “Burmese jade” (Fei Cui), the complex and heterogeneous nature of Fei Cui makes mineral recognition difficult when the constituents or isomorphous submicroscopic minerals show similar appearance under the optical microscope. The repeatability and traceability of test results of random point sampling are under question. This study demonstrates the use of VPSEM-EDS Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscopy- Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, backscattered electron (BSE) imaging coupled with a Raman spectroscopy system for in situ non-destructive Fei Cui micromineral elemental, chemical and structural analyses (Wille et al., 2014).