The Three Waters of Jadeite: Clear Water, Blue Water, and Green Water
In the appreciation of jadeite, the concept of the "Three Waters" is far more than just a description of color, it represents the highest praise for the perfect balance of jadeite's "type, transparency, and color." Clear Water, Blue Water, and Green Water all originate from the oily green variety of jadeite. However, with their top-tier transparency and unique tonal aesthetics, they stand out from ordinary oily green jadeite and have become highly sought-after treasures in the market.
1. Clear Water: Like the sky after rain, pure and ethereal
Clear Water Jadeite derives its name from the poetic imagery of "the sky clearing after rain, where the lake and sky blend into one." It has become a highly favored category of jadeite in recent years. Rather than a strict mineralogical classification, it is more accurately described as an industry term used to collectively refer to jadeite with a specific aesthetic appeal, more precisely termed "Clear Water Base."
Its core characteristics lie in the "base" and "charm." The base color of Clear Water jadeite must be uniform, elegant, and bright, appearing as light blue or light green, resembling a cleansed sky or a calm lake surface. It completely sheds the gray, dull, and stifling sensation of its predecessor ordinary oily green jadeite offering a visual experience that is fresh, expansive, and serene.
The foundation of this beauty lies in its exceptional "type" and "transparency." The texture must reach the level of glutinous ice or even high-ice jadeite, with a fine and dense structure ("old type"), allowing light to travel freely within and creating a vivid, dewy "water head." The overall appearance presents a transparent and pure texture. The color blends perfectly with the jade base, achieving the highest realm of "color dissolving into the base" uniform and gentle, with almost no visible traditional jadeite color roots, resulting in a seamless and harmonious visual perception.
When selecting Clear Water jadeite, four key principles should be followed: "fine texture, pure color, clean base, and flawless material." Its value lies not only in the rarity of the material itself but also in the holistic aesthetic atmosphere it creates. Precisely because the color is an even "base tone" rather than concentrated "color veins," large, flawless rough stones can often be sourced. This makes it particularly suitable for crafting plain bracelets, large pendants, or simple melon-shaped plaques, as these forms best showcase its overall clarity and beauty. In the market, the light green "Green Clear Water" variety, due to its more vibrant and lively appearance, is generally more favored and holds slightly higher value than the light blue "Blue Clear Water."
2. Blue Water: Like the deep ocean's azure, calm and serene
Blue Water jadeite captivates with its uniform, deep blue tone reminiscent of the ocean. Originally a subtype of oily green jadeite, it gained popularity over time and was gradually distinguished as an independent concept, particularly in Taiwan, eventually becoming a recognized high-end category of jadeite. Its name directly highlights the "blue" hue and the "water-like" texture.
The "blue" in Blue Water jadeite originates from its mineral composition, which is primarily omphacite. The finest grade of Blue Water is known as "seawater blue," characterized by a pure, rich, and uniform tone that may include subtle hints of gray-blue or blue-green. However, the base color must remain clean, avoiding any turbidity caused by excessive green or black undertones. In contrast to Clear Water jadeite, which pursues a "fresh" aesthetic, Blue Water emphasizes "calmness" and "serenity." This temperament is built upon superior quality: the texture must be at least ice-type or higher, with fine crystals, dense structure (referred to as "old type"), high transparency, strong rigidity, and a sharp luster. The color blends seamlessly with the jade body, transitioning as smoothly as silk, typically without visible color roots, imparting a steady, deep, and thought-provoking visual impression.
The key to identifying Blue Water jadeite lies in distinguishing it completely from ordinary oily green jadeite. Although they share the same origin, the difference is fundamental: while Blue Water may appear somewhat dark in tone, it remains clear, bright, and low in grayness, with a distinct blue hue. In contrast, ordinary oily green jadeite often appears dull, murky, and greasy, lacking both transparency and structural firmness.
Blue Water and Clear Water are closely related, when the blue tone in Clear Water becomes rich and vivid enough, it transitions into the category of Blue Water. Due to its uniform color and excellent texture, Blue Water jadeite is particularly well-suited for crafting thick-solid bracelets, grand carvings, or minimalist plaques that demand high integrity. Its collectible value rises significantly with the perfect harmony of type, transparency, and color.
3. Green Water: Like the first flush of spring wetlands, brimming with vitality
Green water jadeite, as the representative of the green tone in the "Three Waters," skillfully combines the delicate, oily texture of the oil-green type with the vibrant vitality of green. It is an important addition to the concept of "Three Waters" developed in later stages and has now become a distinctive branch of high-end oil-green jadeite.
The "green" of green water jadeite is not as intense or eye-catching as the imperial green or the Sunny Green, but rather a uniform green that blends seamlessly with the jade's base. This green often carries a slight yellowish tone, appearing warm, soft, and vibrant, full of vitality like the fresh green at the tips of trees in early spring, or the lush green reflected in a shallow pool. To be classified as "green water," its quality standards are as stringent as those for clear water and blue water, requiring at least a semi-transparent base (and the texture must be "translucent"). More commonly, it is seen in ice or high-ice varieties. Only with such high transparency and delicacy can this green achieve a dynamic effect that seems to "radiate from the jade’s core." From a distance, it appears even and subtle, while up close, it reveals a nuanced gradation of light and dark shades.
Green water jadeite is highly regarded in the market for three main reasons: First, it inherits the traditional cultural preference for "green as the most prestigious" in jade aesthetics; second, it combines both the high-quality texture of premium jade and the pleasing green color, visually showcasing the vitality and rarity of jade; third, its tone is soft and modern, understated yet rich in texture, perfectly aligning with contemporary ideals of natural, refined, and personalized wear. As a result, under the same quality conditions, green water jadeite is often the most valuable category among the "Three Waters," serving as an important bridge between traditional jade culture and modern fashion aesthetics.
Related Reading:
1. Three Green Jadeites: Flower Green, Dry Green, Oil Green
2. The 4 Pillars of Jadeite Value: Type, Water, Color, and Craft