Laoshan Green Stone

Laoshan Green Stone

　　Laoshan Green Stone, also known as Laoshan Green Jade or commonly referred to as Seabed Jade, is found on the eastern foothills of Mount Lao in Qingdao, near Yangkou Bay. Due to the limited availability of this stone nowadays, it has become quite rare and is regarded as a prized gem among stones.

　　The mineralogical name for Laoshan Green Stone is serpentine jade or bowenite jade. This stone features a fine and compact texture, a glossy and moist luster, a certain degree of transparency, and a richly colorful appearance. It is primarily green-based, coming in several shades such as dark green, emerald green, and gray-green. Among these, emerald green is considered the highest quality. It also displays variations of purple, reddish-brown, yellow, white, and gray, with differing depths and transitions.

　　Laoshan Green Stone is found in the deep waters of the Green Stone Beach at Yangkou Bay on Mount Lao. The Qing Dynasty’s Jimo County Annals referred to it as “1 stone.” This stone appears in various shades including emerald green, dark green, bluish-green, gray-green, yellow-green, and pinkish-green, with emerald green being the most prized. The stone’s composition consists of flaky or granular particles, with a hardness of 56° to 59°. It has a fine and compact texture, is resilient, and boasts a silky sheen. When touched, it gives a warm, jade-like sensation. It can be carved into items such as inkstones, ink wells, pen holders, and paperweights, and can also serve as material for potted plants. It combines an antique elegance with a uniquely beautiful and refined charm.