AncientPages.com - From Neolithic times, the Chinese have been extremely fond of jade and have made this magical stone - an inseparable part of their culture and art.
In China the national passion for jade gave that stone much the same superiority that lapis lazuli had in Sumer and as the Chinese say: "Gold has a value; jade is invaluable".
The jade was cut into a disc, and named in honor of Bian He, becoming a national treasure known as the “Heshi Bi.”
After 30 years of geological study in Jingshan Mountain and its surrounding areas, Chinese researchers have finally unearthed a rare high quality gem with ultra-hardness, Jinyu and seven other types of jade objects in Baokang, Hubei province.
Jinyu is classified as a new type of jade. Its hardness is generally between 8 and 10 degrees. Jinyu contains precious metals and trace elements. The hardness, gloss and color of Jinyu match the historical records of the jade disc in the legendary story of He Shi Bi which dates back 2,000 years."
The He Shi Bi, literally means "Jade disc of He", is a piece of jade, which was perhaps the most valuable piece of jade in Chinese recorded history.
It was first made into a jade disc from a single piece, of “Hetian nephrite” discovered in the ancient State of Chu (aka Jing, Jingchu or modern-day Jiangsu Province) in Eastern China, by a man named Bian He in c.10th century BC, during the “Warring States” period.
Eight jade objects found in Baokang, Hubei province are now in the museum of Baokang county, Hubei province. Photo credit: Xinhua/Hao Tongqian
According to an ancient legend, this perfect specimen of jade was concealed by an outer stone layer, and rather than carve into the precious stone, Bian He gave it to king Li of the Chu State King Li did not believe the value of the jade that lay within, and cut off one of Bian He’s legs.
Later, the new Chu king Wu was presented with the rough stone, and also not believing Bian He’s story, had his other leg cut off. When Li’s successor, king Wen took the throne he had his best sculptors cut into the rough stone where they found an incomparable piece of white jade. The jade was cut into a disc, and named in honor of Bian He, becoming a national treasure known as the “Heshi Bi.”
Unfortunately, the treasure was later stolen from Chu and finally sold to Zhao. In 283 BC, ambitious King Zhaoxiang of Qin offered to trade 15 towns and their land for the precious jade (the origin of the Chinese saying of valued in multiple cities).
However, when the minister of Zhao found out that the King refused to give up his land, he finally bring back the jade safely with the excuse of pointing out the flaws.
In 221 BC, Qin conquered the other six states and the jade finally came into Qin possession. Under the order of Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of China, it was made into his Imperial Seal and had the seal inscribed with the words "The Mandate is received from Heaven, May He have Longevity and Prosperity".
However, after passing through several successive dynasties, it was lost to history and legend.
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