EP04 Luscious Greens of Emeralds & Jades

In this episode, we journey into the fascinating world of emeralds and jades in Chinese history—exploring the rise of jadeite, a gemstone that captivated China yet was never traditionally consideredyu (玉).We’ll discuss the historical name for emeralds in China, the origins offeicui (翡翠) and its poetic ties to the kingfisher bird, and how jadeite reshaped the perception of jade in Chinese traditions. But that’s not all—we’ll also dive into some of the most ironic and legendary jadeite pieces in recent history, from the famous Barbara Hutton necklace to Mrs. Wellington Koo’s audacious jadeite chili bet, and the legendary trader Tie Bao Ting.Join us as we blend history, intrigue, and larger-than-life stories in this gem-filled episode!