Beijing jade sculpture may be traced back to the Neolithic Age, and known as one of the "eight greatest handicrafts of Beijing." There are many types of jade stones, including white jade, jasper, celadon jade, crystal, amethystine quartz, etc. These stones, though, can be of a priceless art treasure only after fine design and masterly work. One such studio which does such fine work locates on the first floor of Baigong Handicraft Museum.

This jade carving studio sells both uncut jade stones and elaborate jade articles. On my visit to the shop, elaborate jade pendants seemed to be the feature. They have Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, for men and Buddha for women. Another common design is Pi Xiu, a chimera-like legendary animal that love to devour and keep treasures.

For a western style, I found a jade cross for RMB 680. Bracelets made of green jade or red agate are available as well, with prices ranging from RMB 400 to RMB 600 each.

Make sure you look at the valuable jade sculptures like cabbage, and maize, on display while you’re there.

What I appreciated

Exquisite jade ware, jade sculpture display

What customers appreciate

Wide selections, studio let you understand the craft

With jade mobile phone decorations, jade necklaces, jade bracelets, and jade home adornments, Jade Exclusive in the Tian Di Wholesale Market attracted my attention through its large selection of jade merchandise.

Collectors may find jade tobacco bottles and jade fingerstall (ring for thumb finger) rarely offered elsewhere. While fashionable youths may find jade necklaces and bracelets more to their tastes. The religious would find peace and fortune with adornments like Guanyin, the goddess of mercy, or Pi Xiu, gods which collects wealth in Chinese legends.

You may also choose to mix and match your choice of necklace pendants or jade beads for bracelet. Prices for each piece range from 2 RMB of a small bead to over 3,000 RMB for some pendant.

Tibetan handicrafts and accessories are also for sale here. But the selection is really limited to silver pendants and blue tophus necklaces. Bes sure to bargain hard with the shop owner though, since the opening price could be severely inflated.

What I appreciate:
Custom mix-and-match designs

What customers appreciate:
Amazing selections, low price

Located at the northeast corner of Caishikou Intersection, Xingbaixuan Gold & Jewelry Shop is a huge store selling gold, platinum, jadeite and crystal jewelry. Every category has a wide range of patterns for customers to choose from.

The eastern section in the shop specializes in jewelry made from jade, such as necklaces, pendants, and bracelets. Chinese people consider jade a symbol of auspiciousness which will bring safety and health, while westerners admire its grace, mystery, and romantic nature.

The pendant patterns are mainly divided into two categories: Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, and Pi Xiu, God’s animals in ancient Chinese legends which will absorb and keep wealth for you. Prices for jadeite Pi Xiu range from RMB 550 to RMB 4380. And the most valuable Guanyin pendant costs 180 thousand yuan. The green, fine jadeite Guanyin looks shining and translucent, while the halo around her head and the lotus pedestal under her crossed legs are made of platinum. Usually, patrons can enjoy some discount here.

The other parts of the shop carry various gold jewelry, including necklaces, pendants, bracelets, eardrops, and commemorative coins. The jewelries featured include both Chinese and western designs, in many unique patterns. The price for G999 per gram during my visit is RMB 226.

What I appreciated

Solid gold and jadeite jewelry, elaborate designs.

What customers appreciate

Large gold & jewelry shop, a wide variety of patterns for choice, good quality.

To the Chinese, jade can bring about health, peace and good fortune, depending on the design. Carrying a jade during your stay in China can only help your fortunes.

In the south building of Xidan Department Store lies the Hengchang Jewelry Outlet, the most famous brand for jewelry in Beijing. You should have no problem finding the glittering, translucent jadeite pendants in the showcases. Their patterns mainly take on two forms: Guanyin, the goddess of mercy, and Pi Xiu, animals of the gods in ancient Chinese legends.

As the story goes, Pi is male, and Xiu is female. Both have a dragon’s head, a deer’s ears, a goat’s horns, a lion’s body, a phoenix’s tail, a tiger’s paws, and a pair of wings. They can fly above clouds, and are very brave and mighty. Pi can store wealth, while Xiu can conquer evils. In traditional Chinese society, people thought of Pi and Xiu as fortunate animals that absorb wealth and conquer demons for their owner.

So to ward off evil and increase your wealth, ask for a Pi Xiu pendant. Prices vary according to jadeite’s quality. A smaller white pendant costs RMB 700, while another greenish black one of the same size costs RMB 2000.

What I appreciated

Quality jadeite, necklace pendants in the shape of Pi Xiu.

What customers appreciate

Exquisite jadeite jewelry, pendants of Pi Xiu from ancient legends.

With over 1000 jewelry outlets across China, i-Stone is one of the best known brand names in China. I went to their outlet on WangFuJing Street, one of the first i-Stone to open in Beijing. A large selection of jewelries made of natural gems filled the store displays as I entered.

According to the shop assistants, the best seller in the shop is a necklace with a white butterfly jade pendant (RMB 80). Crafted exquisitely with pure natural white jade, this beautiful necklace put you closer to nature.

In addition to necklaces, they also offer bracelets, earrings, pendants, and other inexpensive to mid-tier jewelry. Prices range from RMB 10 to RMB 1000. The shop assistants speak basic English, and can help you pick out the most suitable jewelry for you.

What I appreciate

A large selection of gem jewelries and reasonable prices

What customers appreciate

A large selection of gem jewelries and reasonable prices

At the southwest of Dongsi Shitiao Bridge, a new jewelry market named Da Jia Yong Li attracts people’s attention, especially collectors’, for it is the top-grade jewelry market in Beijing considered as a collector’s paradise.

Lobby

Entering the building, you’ll feel cool and comfortable at once, in striking contrast with the scorchingly hot Beijing weather of late.

The lobby harbors a huge Ding, an ancient cooking vessel made of precious stone, and a large piece of Chinese painting on display. Behind these, there are four escalators bringing you to the second floor and to the basement floor.

Scope of operations

Floor 2 consists of many jewelry shops that are beautifully decorated.

The basement level offers peculiar stones, antiques, paintings and calligraphy, inner paintings, silk, porcelain, pottery, wooden sculptures, and reproductions of ancient furniture.

The jewelry market occupies a surface area of 3,000 square meters, with over 80 shops specializing in jade, diamond, red and blue gems, pearls, white marble, red coral, crystal, and Shou Shan stone. It is a professional wholesale market dealing with the highest rate of precious stones in Beijing.

Quality guaranteed

To guarantee the merchandise quality and protect consumers’ legal rights, the market has specially invited the most authoritative jewelry appraising organization of China to stay in and ensure genuine quality. Any consumer with a problem or question may dial 6409.6883 to get a satisfactory answer.

A duplicate of business license is sticking onto the door of each store, thus ensuring every shopkeeper is a legal one.

Jewelry processing and appraising

Shop # 2063 provides jewelry-processing service to customers.

Room #2040 shelters the Gao De Jewelry Appraising Research Institute, the earliest jewelry appraisal and research organization in China, equipped with the most advanced testing equipment. The appraising center holds multiple certificates from China and abroad.

Peculiar Stones

At the basement level, many peculiar stones are on display, their prices range from RMB 1000 to RMB 300,000. They are treasures made by nature combining artists’ workmanship.

Ahimsa Crystals and Tea Shop specializes in natural crystal jewelry and ornaments mainly imported from Brazil. The shop also sells Chinese tea.

Among the items artfully displayed, I noticed some beautiful crystal ore; fine ornaments made of natural crystal and jade; Chinese traditional patterns covered with natural crystal and jade; world-famous traditional Chinese teas: Tie Guanyin, Longjing, Bi Luochun, jasmine tea, as well as a unique Pu’er tea harvest from 100-years old tea trees.

The shop features a tea bar that serves no-egg cakes and refreshments.

What I appreciated

Beautiful natural crystal jewelry and ornaments, agreeable environment, attractive display, enthusiastic and kind service.