Danma Colored Stone Crafts

Danma Colored Stone Crafts

　　Scientific name: pyrophyllite. Mined in Danma Township, Huangzhong County, Qinghai Province, hence the name "Danma Colored Stone," also known as Kunlun Colored Stone. Found within 30-centimeter-thick, banded, crosswise soil layers in the local mountains, it exhibits crystalline color patterns or petal-like designs. The colors include white, yellow-brown, red-brown, purple, orange, and more, predominantly yellow-brown. Some parts are slightly transparent or semi-transparent, with soft, elegant hues and naturally flowing patterns. The layers are intricately arranged, featuring motifs resembling babbling streams, raging waves, majestic peaks against the clouds, or radiant morning sunrises—each with its unique charm. These are excellent ornamental stones and have been and continue to be developed into handicrafts. Danma Colored Stone has a waxy, smooth texture with a hardness of 4 on the Mohs scale. Its chemical composition includes: 52.65% oxides, 0.87% silicon dioxide, 6.63% aluminum, 0.06% potassium oxide, 0.21% calcium, 0.02% manganese, and a relatively high strontium content of 0.1%. The reserves amount to 50.4 tons, with a mineralization rate of 40%. It falls into two main categories: one is "frozen stone," which is relatively soft and commonly referred to as "soft jade," with an oily smooth feel. Colors include snow white, milky white, cream yellow, brown, and purple, making it most suitable for carving small seals. Examples include seal stands, seals, inkstones, brush washers, seals for official documents, and ink pads. Among the more translucent varieties, "crystal frozen stone" with its stunning brilliance, "agate frozen stone" with its colorful hues, and "brain vein frozen stone" with its delicate patterns are considered the best. The other category is "snowflake stone," which is white and named for the snowflake-like patterns within the stone. Colored stone carvings include techniques such as round carving, relief carving, openwork carving, high relief, pierced carving, hollowing out, and inlay work. The themes are selected based on the shape, patterns, colors, and layering of the stones, and after meticulous carving, a wide variety of exquisitely crafted, aesthetically pleasing products are produced. Some items have even won awards. For example, a colored stone pen holder was awarded an Excellence Prize in the 1981 National Tourism Crafts and Souvenirs Competition; a flowerpot was recognized as an Outstanding Product at the 1981 National Handicrafts Evaluation; and an inlaid wall hanging was commended with a Merit Award in the 1981 China International Travel Conference Souvenir Competition. Highly skilled craftworks such as brush rests, colored stone beads, flower holders, screen stands, paperweights, drinking sets, table lamps, as well as lifelike carvings of figures, animals, flowers, birds, and landscapes—all serve as exceptional pieces for both appreciation and collection. (Haixi)