Qingtian Stone

Qingtian Stone

　　According to Xia Faji’s book *Qingtian Stone*, Qingtian Stone is mainly produced in areas such as Fengmen, Danhong, and Yaoshi around Shankou and Fangshan in Zhejiang Province. The numerous varieties are categorized into 10 major types based on their appearance and color, such as the bluish Lighting Frost, Fish Frost, and Fengmen Green; the yellowish Golden Radiance and Autumn Sunflower; the brownish Soy Sauce Frost, and so on. Among the over 100 types of Qingtian Stone, there are also items similar to Tianhuang (Imperial Yellow Stone), though they go by different names. Of course, there is also what is called Cinnabar Qingtian, known as "Chicken Blood Stone."

　　Qingtian Stone, produced in Qingtian County, Zhejiang Province, is one of China’s traditional “Four Great Seal Stones.” In China, along with Balin Stone, Shoushan Stone, and Chicken Blood Stone, it is recognized as one of China’s “[1] Four Famous Stones.” It features a rich variety of colors and unique patterns. Composed primarily of pyrophyllite, it exhibits a waxy, greasy, or vitreous (glassy) luster, with transparency ranging from opaque to slightly translucent or semi-translucent. Its texture is dense, fine, and delicate, making it one of the earliest stone types used for Chinese seal carving. According to scientific statistics by Qingtian Stone expert Mr. Xia Faji, it is divided into 10 major categories comprising 108 types. The finest quality Qingtian Stone is known as “Fengmen.” Those that are slightly translucent with a pale blue tint and slight yellow hue are called Fengmen Green. Additionally, those that are crystal-clear like jade, shining brilliantly under light, and semi-transparent are called Lighting Frost. Those with a color like deep orchid, bright and pure, with a spiritual and slightly translucent quality are called Orchid Green. These three “Greens,” along with Tianhuang and Chicken Blood Stone, are known as the Three Finest Stones, and their value continues to rise. Due to the fine and twisted nature of Fengmen Green veins, which meander through the rock, the stone is extremely rare, with an elegant color, warm texture, and a “balanced” character. It is the most knife-friendly among all seal stones, making it highly favored by seal carvers. Its colors are natural and cannot be replicated or imitated by artificial means or other stones, making it easy to identify. Chicken Blood and Tianqing are valued for their rich and vibrant hues, symbolizing wealth and prosperity; Fengmen Green stands out for its freshness, symbolizing seclusion and simplicity. Thus, the former can be described as material (physical), while the latter is spiritual. Experts aptly refer to Fengmen Green as the “Gentleman of Stones.” 　　In addition to Lighting Frost, Orchid Green, and Fengmen Green, Qingtian Stone also includes Golden Radiance, Bamboo Leaf Green, Gold Jade Frost, White Ginkgo Qingtian, Red Qingtian (Beauty Red), Rosewood, Blue Flower Nail, Fengmen Tricolor (Three Colors), Water Algae Flower, Roasted Ice Pattern, Century Egg Frost, and Soy Sauce Frost, all of which are easily identifiable due to their descriptive names. A recently discovered type, Dragon Egg Stone, consists of dark red mixed-stone inclusions that often contain round or oval high-quality single pieces of Fengmen Green, making it extremely rare; its formation is similar to Tianhuang, and its value is also becoming increasingly expensive.

　　Introduction

　　　　Qingtian Stone is a metamorphic intermediate-acidic volcanic rock, known as rhyolitic tuff, with the main mineral component being pyrophyllite. It also contains quartz, sericite, sillimanite, epidote, and diaspore, among others. The colors are varied, including red, yellow, blue, white, and black. The color of the rock is related to its chemical composition. When the iron oxide content is high, it appears red; when it's low, it turns yellow, and when even lower, it becomes bluish-white. The stone has medium hardness, and because it contains minerals such as pyrophyllite, sericite, and diaspore, it has a smooth, greasy feel. It is mainly produced in Shankou Town, Qingtian County, Zhejiang Province, hence the name “Qingtian Stone,” and it is a type of pyrophyllite.