gems, jade, amphibole jade, China, Xinjiang, Henry Yule, Khotan, Hetian

Yule examines the account of Tokhāristān given by the seventh-century Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Xuanzang (Hwen Thsang), critically reconsidering earlier attempts to identify the principalities, towns, rivers, and mountain regions described in his travels. By comparing Xuanzang’s itinerary with Chinese, Islamic, classical, and contemporary geographical evidence, Yule seeks to reconstruct the historical geography of the upper Oxus region, including Badakhshan, Wakhan, and neighboring territories. Of particular gemological interest is the geographical context of Badakhshan, historically renowned for its balas rubies (spinel) and lapis lazuli. The paper provides an important nineteenth-century attempt to reconcile early Chinese descriptions with the physical and political geography of Central Asia and helps clarify the historical setting of some of its most celebrated gemstone-producing regions. Contains a brief mention of Khotan.

gems, jade, Fischer-Book, stone axe

The anonymous article discusses prehistoric stone axes identified as nephrite or jade and the problem of determining the nature and geographical origin of their raw material. It considers finds of polished jade implements from European archaeological sites and their comparison with nephrite and related green stones from known localities. The occurrence of such artifacts was central to the contemporary “jade question”: whether European prehistoric nephrite objects had been manufactured from as-yet-undiscovered indigenous deposits or whether the material had reached Europe through long-distance exchange from Asia. The article reflects the increasing application of mineralogical identification to archaeological stone tools and the broader nineteenth-century debate over what jade artifacts could reveal about prehistoric trade and cultural contacts.

gems, engraved gems, glyptic, jade

King presents an extensive study of ancient engraved gems and finger rings, principally of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman origin, combining archaeological, historical, artistic, and gemological information. He discusses the materials used by ancient engravers—including carnelian, sard, chalcedony, jasper, agate, amethyst, garnet, emerald, sapphire, and other stones—the techniques of engraving and polishing, forms and construction of rings, and the identification and dating of intaglios and cameos. Considerable attention is given to subjects represented on gems, including deities, portraits, mythological scenes, animals, symbols, inscriptions, and magical devices, as well as to their use as seals, ornaments, amulets, and signet rings. King also examines ancient literary sources concerning precious stones, notable collections and individual gems, later imitations and forgeries, and the reuse of classical gems in subsequent periods. The work is an important nineteenth-century synthesis of glyptic art and remains valuable for its detailed observations on engraved gemstones, their materials, manufacture, iconography, and historical use.

gems, jade, Russia, nephrite, Manchuria, Fischer-Book

Marthe reviews Russian geographical and exploratory publications concerning Asia issued during 1870, summarizing work on the geography, peoples, natural resources, routes, and exploration of the Russian Empire’s Asian territories and neighboring regions. The paper surveys contemporary Russian investigations of Central Asia, Siberia, Turkestan, and adjoining areas, making information published in Russian more accessible to German geographical readers. It includes notices of expeditions and regional studies dealing with mountain systems, rivers, settlements, trade routes, ethnography, geology, and mineral resources. The article provides a useful nineteenth-century bibliographical and geographical overview of Russian research into Asia during a period of rapidly expanding exploration and scientific investigation of Central Asia.

jade, jadeite, fei cui, Burma, gems, jade trade, China

Anderson reports on the British expedition from Bhamo in Upper Burma into western Yunnan, describing the route, geography, geology, natural history, peoples, political conditions, commerce, and resources of the region. Particular attention is given to the important overland trade between Burma and China, including the markets and caravan routes connecting Bhamo with Yunnan. Of gemological interest are observations on the mineral products and trade of northern Burma and southwestern China, including jade, which moved through this commercial network from the jade-producing districts of Upper Burma toward Chinese markets. The work provides an important nineteenth-century account of the geography and commerce of the Burma–Yunnan frontier and historical context for the development and organization of the Burmese jade trade.

gems, jade, Fischer-Book

Fischer: [Rath, Gerhard von, reports in his geognostic fragments from Italy, Part III, in: Zeitschr. der deutsch. geolog. Gesellsch. [Journal of the German Geological Society], Volume XXII, Berlin 1870, pages 637–38, in the note, about the presence of stone tools on Elba, of which over 1000 specimens from the collection of Mr. Raf. Foresi were exhibited at the Paris Industrial Exhibition in 1867. Since green saussurite is also mentioned among the materials for these stone weapons, I wanted to draw attention to this note for possible identification of nephrite or jadeite among them. See: Dell’eta della pietra all’isola d’Elba, letter from Raf. Foresi to Prof. J. Occhi, Extract from “Il Diritto” No. 231, August 24, 1865.]

gems, jade, amphibole jade, nephrite, Fischer-Book

Fischer: Kenngott, Ad. reports in the Züricher Vierteljahrschrift der naturforsch. Gesellsch. Zürich Quarterly Journal of the Natural History Society], XV. Year 1870, pg. 372–377 [Leonh. Gein. Yearbook 1871, 293] on two handpieces of punamu nephrite acquired for the Zürich collection of Edm. v. Fellenberg. These pieces were detached from a large erratic block* weighing 180 pounds that was brought to Europe. This is the same block mentioned and analyzed by L.R. v. Fellenberg (the father of the former) in his article from 1869–70 [see above, pg. 278]. Kenngott’s microscopic examination revealed that the mineral is homogeneous and polarization. There are hardly any significant foreign black inclusions, but there might be some traces of chrome iron or magnetite. According to Kenngott’s analysis, punamu nephrite can be classified as a variety of greenstone (like Damour), and he compiles 25 known nephrite analyses (note that the numbers given in analyses 10 and 11 by Damour do not match those in the original Damour article due to some error).

gems, jade, Fischer-Book

Fischer presents the first continuation of his critical microscopic-mineralogical studies, applying microscopic examination to the identification and differentiation of minerals and rocks whose true nature could be difficult to establish from external appearance alone. He compares microscopic structure, texture, inclusions, and other diagnostic characteristics with chemical and physical evidence and critically reassesses earlier mineral identifications. Of particular relevance to jade research are the discussions on pp. 9, 24–25, and 48, where nephrite and related or superficially similar materials are considered as part of Fischer’s continuing effort to distinguish true nephrite from “pseudonephrite” and other jade-like substances. The work illustrates the increasing importance Fischer attached to microscopy in resolving the nineteenth-century “jade question” and in establishing more reliable mineralogical identifications of archaeological stone artifacts.

gems, jade, Fischer-Book

Fischer reports in a correspondence dated 21 February on his continuing microscopic-mineralogical investigations, emphasizing the usefulness of microscopy for distinguishing minerals and examining fine-grained or otherwise difficult materials. He discusses observations made on mineral specimens under the microscope and the diagnostic value of microscopic structure and optical appearance when macroscopic examination alone is insufficient. The communication reflects Fischer’s broader efforts to establish microscopy as a practical method in mineralogy and petrography and belongs to the period when microscopic examination was becoming increasingly important for the identification and differentiation of minerals, including compact and closely similar materials.

gems, jade, Fischer-Book

Marcoy recounts his journey across South America from the Pacific coast through Peru and the Andes to the Amazon basin and onward toward the Atlantic, combining travel narrative with observations on geography, natural history, Indigenous peoples, settlements, customs, commerce, and material culture. The work describes routes through regions then little known to European readers and is extensively illustrated by Édouard Riou from Marcoy’s sketches and other material. Particular attention is given to the peoples of the Peruvian Andes and Amazonian regions, their ornaments, weapons, tools, dress, and use of local natural resources. The work provides a richly illustrated nineteenth-century record of western and Amazonian South America and contemporary European observations of its Indigenous cultures and material traditions.