Little Buddha

Hi all. Picked up this little fella today,cant figure out what hes made of.he passes 2 out of 3 tests ( cant scratch,feels smooth with nail) but Im not really sure about the warmth thing. So I was hoping yall could clue me in,is he glass or some other stone ? Any and all help is appreciated.

 

Hi Johnny, is it Jade? Looks like it could be.

 

I don't know,lol ! I was hoping our resident Asian arts expert could chime in. The person who I bought it from didn't know either.

 

Hi Carl, glad to see you back.

Johnny
The picture of the bottom is blurry - is it polished to a high shine? or does it have ridge marks. Can you see any air bubbles?

When you put it to your cheek, jade will be cool, resin will be warm. If you are not sure take another stone object and touch it to your face first. Then try your budha. I don't think these were made in glass, but I could be wrong.

 

It is cool to the touch,and I don't see any air bubbles.The only inclusion (?) I see is the tiny brown spot. The bottom is smooth,but not shiny ?

 

If you can't scratch it with a steel point that pretty well ensures it is jade, but it seems lacking in all attempt at detail, which is the hardest part of jade 'carving'.

 

I think that might be more my lack of photo skills,AF ! I swear,this thing was very hard to try and capture well,these are the best of dozens of pics. I just thought it was "heavier" than glass when I picked it up.but I know nothing about Asian items ! thank you everyone for your input, most appreciated.

 

It's not jade, wrong color, but does look like "new jade" if it's not a resin. It's a yellow-green stone. I think it's serpentine, but don't quote me.

 

What is "new jade" exactly ?

 

I believe your figurine may be made of a mineral called "jadeite."

http://www.minerals.net/gemstone/jade_gemstone.aspx

 

Thank you ! I didn't figure it was some Imperial treasure,but its cute and was a few bucks so I thought "why not? " ! I have to stick to smaller things now,I have NO room for larger stuff ! LOL!

 

I'll quote you and agree.

Chinese carved serpentine Buddha, 20th C.

 

I have one just like him. Probably got it about 20 years ago. Mine has one of those wooden bases for him to sit on.

 

Do you mean like this?: http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/10947987_chinese-serpentine-figure-of-the-happy-buddha

 

Serpentine it is then ! Thank you everyone ! Id love to know what it sold for. I actually do have a wooden base.

 

I got mine at a flea market. I doubt I paid more that 10.00 for it (I'm pretty sure these are mass produced)

 

Johnny, you might want to see if you can show the piece to someone in person and get an expert opinion. Serpentine and jadeite can look very similar, and jadeite is a form of actual jade while serpentine is not.

"The name jade has been, and continues to be, applied to a variety of materials that superficially or closely resemble jade but are not composed of either jadeite or nephrite. F.T.C. regulations in this country deem such usage unlawful, yet the practice persists, either through ignorance or otherwise. Some of the problem can undoubtedly be traced to cultural and historical differences in word usage. In China, for example, the word jade has traditionally been applied not only to nephrite and jadeite jade, but to green serpentine and soapstone (talc) whose appearance closely resemble true jade. Common misnomers and the materials they represent are: "Korean" Jade for serpentine or gem serpentine (bowenite), "Indian" Jade for aventurine, "Mexican Jade" for green-dyed calcite, "Transvaal Jade" for green hydrogrossular garnet, "Amazon or Colorado Jade" for amazonite (blue-green or green) feldspar and "Oregon or Swiss Jade" for green chalcedony."

http://www.geo.utexas.edu/courses/347k/redesign/gem_notes/jade/jade_main.htm

 

The one in the Liveauctioneers link sold for $250.

 

Thank you Pat and Kentworld. I guess it wouldn't hurt to see what it actually is considering that price ! Who would I take something like that to,a jeweler ?

 

I actually have 2 of them (slightly different) The first one has unpolished bottom and I think under the sticker a pontil scar. The second one has a smooth polished bottom.