gems, jade, amphibole jade, nephrite, Khotan, Hetian, China, Xinjiang

It is not an exaggeration to describe it as the 'Encyclopedia of Hetian Jade Knowledge in Xinjiang, China'." Recently, Lu Zhaoyin, a researcher at the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, commented on China's Xinjiang Hetian Yu (Volume I and II) published by China Science and Technology Publishing Media Co., Ltd. (Science Publishing House) in October 2023. This cultural monograph was compiled by dozens of domestic units, nearly 100 experts and scholars, such as Peking University, China University of Geosciences, the Palace Museum and Xinjiang Hetian Jade Industry Association, and under the leadership of the famous domestic jade expert and Professor Wang Shiqi of Peking University. Through the four parts of jade, technology, art and history, a total of 14 chapters, the Hetian jade in Xinjiang is systematically discussed in detail, from the name and classification of the material itself, the geology of the deposit, the identification of true and false, the identification of origin, and the study of the function, to the mining history, the carving process, the art and culture of mankind. The situation of the former industry has been explained and interpreted in detail, which is of great value for the research of Hetian jade in Xinjiang. The Hetian jade mine in Xinjiang is distributed on Kunlun Mountain. The field investigation road is difficult and the climate is complex. The elderly Professor Wang Shiqi and the writing expert team are not afraid of difficulties and have carried out many field investigations, which makes the historical documents involved in this set of books quite fresh and unique. A large number of experts' on-site inspection photos of the Jade Mine in Kunlun Mountain. As a fresh first-hand information, it not only truly shows the geographical appearance and natural environment of the Hetian jade production area, but also makes people understand the hardships of jade mining and transportation. Lu Zhaoyin said: "As an important carrier of jade culture and the material expression of Chinese culture, Xinjiang Hetian jade has always attracted much attention. This heavy work, which focuses on the creation of Hetian jade in Xinjiang, China, systematically and discusses Hetian jade in Xinjiang from the perspective of multiple disciplines, covering all aspects of the current research on jade culture. With its detailed content and unique insights, it provides readers with a key to open the door to the world of Hetian jade in China." Zhang Yun, a researcher at the Key Laboratory of Sustainable Development of Xinjiang History and Cultural Tourism at Xinjiang University, is a senior fan of Hetianyu in Xinjiang and the author of the essay collection Yujian. She said: "Hetianyu, Xinjiang, China, introduces the latest and most comprehensive knowledge of Hetianyu in Xinjiang, China, to readers, reflecting multi-study and scientific research. The research results is a rare and valuable resource."