Dendroid Jade

Dendroid Jade

　　　 A beautiful green jade formed from trees is called "Lin" in folklore, also known as Linshi, commonly referred to as "Dendroid Jade." Dendroid Jade is the finest among the petrified woods known in geology. It is an ancient treasure bestowed upon humanity by nature—dazzling, mysterious, and of great value. Dendroid Jade was formed during the Mesozoic period, over 250 million years ago, when the Hengduan Mountain region was densely forested. Repeated intense orogenic movements buried the forests deep underground. Under changing geological conditions such as rock strata, pressure, temperature, and humidity, groundwater rich in high-concentration silicon dioxide (SiO₂) slowly infiltrated the trees. Over the course of immense time, the organic matter in the wood was gradually replaced by elements such as silicon, calcium, and iron. Through the passage of ages, the wood transformed into the colorful and intricately shaped Dendroid Jade stone.

　　　　Due to its unique formation, Dendroid Jade has a hardness of over 7 and can be preserved for a long time. Its raw form retains most of the tree's external features, such as bark marks, knots, annual rings, and insect holes. After initial washing and polishing, it reveals distinct jade-like textures and colors. It shimmers with a vitreous (glassy) luster and feels smooth and buttery to the touch, creating a contemplative and ethereal realm for the observer. 　

　　　　Dendroid Jade possesses exceptional aesthetic value. Its beauty lies in its resemblance to wood yet not wood, to jade yet not jade. Its colors are dazzlingly varied and magnificent. Its texture is vitreous and lustrous, smooth and buttery. Its nature is broad, resilient, simple, and serene. 　

　　　　Depending on the trace elements present in the rocky environment and the form of petrification, Dendroid Jade appears in monochrome, polychrome, and multicolor variations. Monochrome versions have a pure hue with slight translucency, while polychrome ones exhibit radiant, eye-catching color flows that offer a visual feast.

　　　　Dendroid Jade possesses a uniquely mystical spirituality as a "substance formed by the union of heaven and earth." The Book of Rites states: “The soul ascends to heaven, the body returns to earth.” Dendroid Jade, formed by “gathering the essence of heaven and earth, and transforming the radiance of the sun and moon,” has been highly favored by nobility and literati throughout history. The nobility revered it as an “auspicious treasure” due to its unique spiritual power of gathering cosmic energy. They believed that Linshi is a substance embodying the form of heaven and earth, capable of warding off evil and suppressing demons. For generations, it has been treasured by officials and elites as a protective stone for officialdom and businesses. There is even a saying: “An official without Dendroid Jade will not prosper; a shop with an auspicious stone will thrive.”

　　　　The formation of petrified wood requires extremely harsh geological conditions. Only one in ten thousand ancient organisms becomes fossilized, and the chance of forming Dendroid Jade is even smaller. Moreover, due to its unique formation process and countless variations, it is a non-renewable resource, giving it extremely high historical, scientific, and ornamental value. This makes this prehistoric treasure even rarer. 　

　　　　According to "Jewelry and Gemology," materials that are naturally formed, rare, have certain hardness, and serve a decorative purpose are considered gems or jade. Dendroid Jade clearly possesses the four essential qualities of jewelry: being natural, rare, hard, and beautiful. 　

　　　　Dendroid Jade transforms into a myriad of fantastical shapes due to its special and complex formation process. Some resemble leisurely music stands or towering cliffs; others evoke cascading waterfalls or the roars of tigers and dragons—shapes and forms are limitless. Imagery from the heavens and the human world, including figures, animals, fish, insects, flowers, and birds, can all be found in Dendroid Jade. Some premium pieces achieve lifelike or even strikingly realistic appearances in both form and spirit. 　　

　　　　The aesthetic value of Dendroid Jade is reflected in the appreciation of its “charm, texture, shape, pattern, and color.” Due to its complex formation and rarity, its economic and collectible value continue to rise.

　　　　The beauty of Dendroid Jade lies in its spiritual charm, tactile texture, form, grain patterns, and colors. If a beautiful piece of Dendroid Jade is given an apt title or poetic name, its value increases immensely. (Qing Dynasty) Ruan Yuan once said in the preface to “Records of Stone Paintings”: “Remarkable stones are silent poems and immortal paintings. Though natural stones are marvels of creation, without a fitting name, their essence remains unexpressed.” This illustrates the importance of naming. Ancient Chinese medical classics such as “Shennong’s Herbal Classic” and “Compendium of Materia Medica” have long recorded that jade possesses therapeutic benefits such as “clearing internal heat, relieving vexation, moistening the heart and lungs, aiding the throat, nourishing hair, improving blood circulation, and sharpening hearing and sight.” Dendroid Jade offers these same health-promoting benefits.

　　　　Myanmar—currently the country with the highest number of dendroid fossils and Dendroid Jade unearthed in the world. Near Yangon and in the Bagan area, dendroid fossils can even be found by the roadside. Although dendroid fossils are also extremely precious biological relics, the abundance of Dendroid Jade in Myanmar has somewhat overshadowed their significance. Known locations where Dendroid Jade has been found include Mandalay Region, Sagaing Region, and Magway Region, with the greatest quantity and highest quality coming from Natogyi Township and Malan Township in Mandalay Region.