“Dancing Bird with Jade Feathers” jadeite necklace was made by Zhaoyi Cuiwu. Photo courtesy of Zhaoyi Xintiandi Co. Ltd.
The necklace’s evocative name comes from an impressionistic resemblance to a bird rather than a literal representation. The pendant portion of the necklace suggests the slender neck of a bird, and the portion above the flower clip suggests its wings. The green jadeite cabochons symbolize glistening bird feathers. The piece epitomizes a key difference between Chinese and Western jewelry design, in that the Chinese tend to focus on the symbolic, rather than naturalistic, representation of natural subjects. The necklace won the Media Attention Award in the China Jewelry Design and Manufacturing Contest.
Zhaoyi Cuiwu, Jadeite Cabochon Jewelry. Photo courtesy Zhaoyi Xintiandi Co. Ltd
Green jadeite has always been favored in the industry and also among consumers. This suite features top-quality jadeite cabochons with top color, texture, and transparency, mounted in karat gold with diamond accent stones. This suite is perfect for special occasions and goes well with evening dresses.
Zhaoyi Cuiwu, Green Jadeite Pendant. Photo courtesy Zhaoyi Xintiandi Co. Ltd.
The supreme quality of this green jadeite cameo is reflected in the simple patterns on its surface. As a rule, carvers apply a minimum amount of carving on top-quality jadeite rough. The great transparency and the nice color both guarantee demand for this pendant.
Zhaoyi Cuiwu, Colorless Cabochon Jadeite and Diamond Ring. Photo by Eric Welch/GIA, courtesy Zhaoyi Xintiandi Co. Ltd.
The ring is the most popular jewelry item, but it is also the hardest to design. This style appeals to successful businessmen. It is very rare to see jadeite jewelry with animal-themed designs like this leopard ring.
Zhaoyi Cuiwu, Colorless Cabochon Jadeite and Diamond Ring. Photo by Eric Welch/GIA, courtesy Zhaoyi Xintiandi Co. Ltd.
Small colorless cabochons were cleverly used as birds’ eggs on this ring. Gold of different colors represents the natural colors of the bird nest and tree branch. The special finishing gives the whole piece a very distinctive look. This ring is designed to appeal to a new mom.
Zhaoyi Cuiwu, Colorless Transparent Jadeite Bracelets. Photo courtesy Zhaoyi Xintiandi Co. Ltd.
These elegant bracelets made the best use of colorless transparent jadeite, diamonds, and colored stones. They nicely fit the curve of a lady’s wrist to impart a silky feeling to the wearer. Colors were creatively mixed to harmonize with each other. This is a great combination of oriental material and western design and manufacturing.
Zhaoyi Cuiwu, Colorless and Green Jadeite Necklace. Photo courtesy Zhaoyi Xintiandi Co. Ltd.
At one time, the combination of colorless and green jadeite was not very common. Zhaoyi led the fashion trend of combining them in jewelry. The combination offers both tradition and a fresh look.
Zhaoyi Cuiwu, Imperial Jadeite Pendant. Photo courtesy Zhaoyi Xintiandi Co. Ltd.
Imperial jadeite can stand by itself in a piece of jewelry and still be pursued by collectors. Zhaoyi’s designers added some design elements with accent diamonds to give it a more westernized look to attract more young consumers.
Zhaoyi Cuiwu, Colorless Jadeite Guanyin Pendant. Photo courtesy Zhaoyi Xintiandi Co. Ltd.
Colorless transparent jadeite was not very popular before Zhaoyi’s promotion of it. Today, the price of this type of material has increased exponentially. Colorless jadeite gives this Guanyin pendant an extremely peaceful look that goes along with its overall theme.
Zhaoyi Cuiwu, Colorless Transparent Jadeite, Sapphire and Ruby Pendant. Photo courtesy Zhaoyi Xintiandi Co. Ltd.
Colorless transparent jadeite is easily complemented by colored stones. In this pendant, sapphires and rubies with saturated color contrast dramatically with the center cabochon.
Zhaoyi Cuiwu, Diamond and Colorless Transparent Jadeite Necklace. Photo courtesy Zhaoyi Xintiandi Co. Ltd.
Diamonds and colorless transparent jadeite represent western and oriental cultures. When designers put them together, they balance each other in luster, texture, and transparency.
Zhaoyi Cuiwu, Heart-shaped Cabochon Jadeite Pendant. Photo courtesy Zhaoyi Xintiandi Co. Ltd.
Heart-shaped cabochons are not very common. The specially manufactured cabochon symbolizes pure love and the ruby accent stones represent love’s passion. Again, this is a combination of western and oriental themes.
Zhaoyi Cuiwu, Lavender Jadeite Ring. Photo courtesy Zhaoyi Xintiandi Co. Ltd.
Lavender jadeite is very popular today. Lavender jadeite is close in value to imperial jadeite of equivalent quality. In nature, it is even rarer than green jadeite. This lavender jadeite cabochon has very saturated color and perfect transparency plus extremely fine texture. Jewelry like this piece can be very rare and expensive.
Zhaoyi Cuiwu, Yellowish Jadeite Ring. Photo courtesy Zhaoyi Xintiandi Co. Ltd.
In Chinese, jadeite is called “Fui Cui.” “Fui” refers to the yellowish and brownish varieties while “cui” refers to the green color. It is very rare to find “Fui” with extremely fine texture. This cabochon’s color is top quality.
Zhaoyi Cuiwu, Diamond, Pearl and Black Jadeite Jewelry. Photo courtesy Zhaoyi Xintiandi Co. Ltd.
Zhaoyi Cuiwu, Black Jadeite Pendant and Ring. Photo courtesy Zhaoyi Xintiandi Co. Ltd.
The pendant at left features top-quality dark jadeite. The color is extremely evenly distributed. This set is favored among successful businessmen. Photo courtesy Zhaoyi Xintiandi Co. Ltd.
“Jade that She Wants” is one of two Zhaoyi high-end custom jewelry lines designed by Grace Lee. Photo courtesy Zhaoyi Xintiandi Co. Ltd.
These jewelry pieces feature large, top-quality, colorless transparent jadeite cabochons and complementary colored stones.
The star of Zhaoyi is the company’s symbol. Photo courtesy Zhaoyi Xintiandi Co. Ltd.
This piece features a center stone that weighs 9499 carats. Top-quality lavender jadeite of this size is extremely rare. Ten matching rings were also made. The suite looks like a blossoming peony surrounded by ten small flowers.
Grace Lee, the chief designer of Zhaoyi Cuiwu, was once a broadcaster. Photo courtesy Zhaoyi Xintiandi Co. Ltd.
Her design innovations resulted in jewelry pieces featuring colorless transparent jadeite.