The research project on the survey and grading standards for Huangla stone resources in Zhejiang Province has been ongoing for nearly... 2 The tiered research on annual resource surveys has yielded results. 2014 Year 7 Moon 29 The project’s findings were reviewed and approved by experts from the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Geology, the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Geological Survey, Zhejiang University, the Zhejiang Ornamental Stone Association, the Zhejiang Jewelry and Jade Accessories Industry Association, the Zhejiang Museum, and the Zhejiang Administration for Quality and Technical Supervision.

Zhejiang produces Huangwa stone with a rich variety of colors, among which shades of red and yellow are highly prized. Other colors include orange, green, black, light blue, light gray, and white. The stone is predominantly translucent to slightly translucent, with only a small number being fully transparent. Most specimens exhibit an oily or waxy luster, while a few display a glassy luster. Hardness: 6.5–7 , density 2.53-2.66g/cm3 , refractive index 1.53–1.55 From microcryptocrystalline to microidiomorphic texture, particle size 0.001mm-0.1mm , the main chemical components are SiO2 , with a content of approximately 90%-98% Between them, the compositional variations are relatively minor. The primary mineral constituent is chalcedony, with trace amounts of feldspar, kaolinite, hematite, pyrite, calcite, fluorite, and other minerals. It is crucial to distinguish yellow wax stone—possessing gemstone and jade-like value—from ordinary yellow quartzite and to evaluate their respective qualities.

Based on gemological principles, the quality of yellow wax stone is assessed and standardized according to factors such as color, transparency, clarity, texture, and processing techniques. This standard applies to the production, trade, and quality evaluation of yellow wax stone raw materials and jewelry whose primary hues are yellow and red. For yellow wax stones of other colors, grading shall be referenced from the yellow-red-toned yellow wax stone. The mineral composition of Zhejiang yellow wax stone is essentially uniform, with chalcedony being the main constituent. Some samples contain minor amounts of coexisting minerals such as feldspar, mica, hematite, kaolinite, and calcite. There is no significant difference in particle size between Zhejiang yellow wax stone and Yunnan yellow wax stone; both exhibit a range of coarse and fine particles. Particle size alone is not a reliable criterion for distinguishing between seed stones and mountain stones. Among mountain stones, some have fine particles that can rival those of high-grade seed stones. Yellow wax stone is classified into four categories based on particle size: gel wax, fine wax, medium wax, and coarse wax. The transparency of jade, also known as "water," represents a fundamental contradiction within jade: the richer the color, the shorter the water content—and vice versa. 6-7 Divide, water 3-4 It’s considered excellent. The highest quality specimens feature vivid colors and are semi-transparent. Zhejiang yellow wax stone boasts just the right degree of transparency—ranging from semi-transparent to slightly translucent.

The research findings of the project on the survey and grading standards for yellow wax stone resources in Zhejiang Province indicate that the utilization of yellow wax stone resources has been neglected, resulting in the loss of state-owned assets.     In the process of paid transfer and utilization of quartz mineral resources, it is essential to take into account the gemstone value of Huangwa stone, thereby preventing the extensive and indiscriminate exploitation of mineral resources and ensuring that high-quality minerals are used in a manner that maximizes their value. The Huangwa stone mining areas in Zhejiang Province should be classified into three levels of protection zones—first-, second-, and third-level—each with tailored protection and mining regulations suited to its respective level. Currently, the market mechanism for Huangwa stone is imperfect, which hinders the standardized development of the Huangwa stone cultural market. We should further refine and promote the outcomes of projects such as “Zhejiang Huangwa Stone” and “Huangwa Stone Grading Standards.” The formulation and standardized promotion of Huangwa stone grading standards will not only enhance buyers’ ability to appraise and identify genuine, collectible high-quality Huangwa stone but also help prevent merchants from passing off inferior products as superior ones or engaging in exorbitant pricing practices. This will foster fair trade and, in turn, promote the healthy and orderly development of the Huangwa stone market. Among these, premium-quality Huangwa stone specimens unique to Zhejiang will be uniformly designated as “Danyu” under the grading standards, thus establishing them as a distinctive jade variety unique to Zhejiang Province.