Investigation of some Chinese jade artifacts (5000 BC to 771 BC) by confocal laser micro‐Raman spectroscopy and other techniques

Abstract

The study on material properties of ancient stone or jade artifacts is essential to trace the trade routes of raw materials, the tools used to making them, and moreover the social function of the artifacts. In present research, we focused on 23 intact samples that were made of versatile rocks. These samples dated from 5000 BC to 771 BC were unearthed from the Yellow River and Yangtze River basins in China. Based on the analytical results of confocal laser micro-Raman spectroscopy, 14 minerals consisted of these rocks such as muscovite, antigorite, calcite, quartz, diopside, turquoise, corundum, and sillimanite were identified. The obtained scientific information about their primary material properties helps us to better understand their social functions and technologically related issues.

Polished stone axes from Varna/Nössingbühel and Castelrotto/Grondlboden, South Tyrol (Italy)

“…5). Literature data show how the modes are similar in the three polymorphs but are shifted to lower wavenumbers in the antigorite variety with respect to (Rinaudo et al 2003;Petriglieri et al 2015;Zhao et al 2016;Bloise et al 2016 among others). Moreover, the presence of a peak at about 1044 cm −1 has allowed the discrimination of antigorite from the other polymorphs (Petriglieri et al 2015).…”

Recent advances in linear and non‐linear Raman spectroscopy. Part XI

“…Zhao et al investigated Chinese jade artefacts stemming from the period 5,000 BC to 771 BC by confocal laser micro‐Raman spectroscopy and other techniques. Samples were unearthed from the Yellow River and Yangtze River basins in China . Zmuda‐Trzebiatowska carried out a Raman investigation of the patina layers on Hungarian copper ingots from a 15th century shipwreck.…”

A New Nephrite Occurrence in Jiangxi Province, China: Its Characterization and Gemological Significance

“…Nephrite deposits are common worldwide, such as in China [3], Russia [4], Korea [5,6], Canada [7,8], and Somaliland in Africa [9], which has important economic implications. In China, the culture of nephrite has a long history [10,11], and the origin of nephrite is widely distributed, such as in Xinjiang [12][13][14], Qinghai [15,16], Dahua, Guangxi [17], Xiuyan, Liaoning [18,19], Panshi, Jilin [20], Tieli, Heilongjiang [21], etc.…”