In recent years, there has been a phenomenon of “throwing bricks to attract jade” in high-end decoration-instead of ceramic tiles or artificial stone bricks, natural jade is used as decoration materials. As a high-end building material, natural jade has been used in China, such as the platinum seven-star Sheraton Moon Hotel in Huzhou, and the super luxury mansion Shanghai Tomson Yipin. The Grand Theatre, the Multicultural Center of the University of Toronto in Canada, and the flagship exhibition hall of the high-end women’s brand Celine are also decorated with jade.
Why are wealthy and expensive mansions “throwing bricks to attract jade”? Some people say that the comparison between jade and ceramic tiles is like the comparison between antiques and imitations, real leather and PU leather, silk, and man-made fibers, there are qualitative differences. Compared with ceramic tiles, natural jade has nine incomparable advantages, which are beyond the reach of ceramic tiles. Therefore, it has moved the global businessmen, wealthy, and celebrities.
1. The uniqueness of natural jade
The patterns, patterns, colors, etc. of each piece of natural jade are unique. It is this uniqueness that creates the noble status of jade. Whether pursuing noble wealthy celebrities or middle-class elites who pay attention to the taste of life, they do not want their own houses to have a unique temperament; as a product of nature, jade has the unreproducible nature, which can best meet the needs of pursuing unique temperament. Can highlight this uniqueness and dignity. In comparison, ceramic tiles or artificial stone bricks can only become ordinary consumer goods because of their extremely strong reproducibility and streamlined production mode. The product patterns are the same. There is no mystery to human beings. Even if it changes or imitates natural products, it is inevitable that there will be artificial traces. For example, the texture and color of ceramic tiles are artificially synthesized, which appear to be similar, and there are many imitations among various brands.
2. Persistence of natural jade
Natural jade was formed in the late Mesoproterozoic about one billion years ago. In the long years, the process of carbonate deposition, crustal movement, high-temperature dissolution of magma, alteration, and crystallization, and then the process of washing, transportation, and precipitation by running water, finally formed jade mines. The texture of jade is fine and solid, containing the extraordinary craftsmanship of nature. It is the essence of nature that has stood the test of time. Each piece is a dedication of nature. Ceramic tiles and artificial marble tiles are fast-processed fast-food products, not to mention time accumulation.
3. The scarcity of natural jade
The jade used for decoration belongs to nephrite, with a Mohs hardness of 3. The geological plate is active due to the Himalayan orogenic movement, forming jade mines; it is widely distributed in the southern foot of the Himalayas and the Andes, and its scientific name is “calcite jade”. “, also known as “carbonate jade” or “onyx jade”. The natural jade used for decoration and building materials is imported from overseas. However, the mining resources are limited and transportation is difficult. Coupled with the protection of jade resources by the local government, the number of jade that can be supplied to the Chinese market is quite limited. expensive”. Natural jade is at the top of the “ecological chain” of decoration materials and is the most scarce material. On the contrary, after the rapid expansion of the ceramic tile industry in the past few years, the entire industry has been in a state of oversupply, overcapacity, and even some shoddy products appearing in the decoration market, eroding consumer confidence and becoming the black sheep of the decoration market.
4. Natural jade health
Natural jade can promote physical and mental health. The Chinese have believed since ancient times that jade “gathers the essence of heaven and earth” is the most capable of storing “qi”. The homes of wealth and wealth all pay attention to the use of jade bowls, jade pillows, etc. to help restore the body and mind. Modern scientific research has found that jade is rich in trace elements needed by the human body, can play a health care role, and has beneficial effects on human microcirculation. People in a space with jade can nourish the body and mind and feel peace of mind. Ceramic tiles or artificial marble tiles have no health benefits at all. On the contrary, because ceramic tiles must be glazed during the production process, and the negative impact of the organic pigments used in the glaze on humans and the entire social environment has also caused some environmentalists’ concerns.
5. Cultural nature of natural jade
In Chinese culture, jade has always occupied a unique position. Chinese people love and appreciate jade, forming a unique Chinese jade culture. Natural jade has the characteristics of being natural, authentic, and noble. It is the inheritance of Eastern culture, represents the essence of Confucian culture, and is also a symbol of culture, wealth, and taste. Compared with the cultural heritage accumulated by jade in the process of witnessing and accompanying the development of human society, ceramic tiles are just ordinary building materials and lack cultural gold content.
6. Appreciation of natural jade
Jade is a special ore with crystal luster, brilliant color, warm and delicate, natural and transparent in nature. Through the high-precision processing of computer analysis and numerical control equipment, the texture patterns of jade can be perfectly spliced, and the resulting picture is more spectacular. The large-scale background wall made of ink and wash jade and other jade is magnificent and has the reputation of “natural ink painting”. Scientific research shows that the gorgeous and changeable texture of jade is caused by the different sand and gravel materials that are wrapped in the natural formation process, the degree of crystallinity, and the direction of scouring that produce beautiful changes. These textures are unique and precious when natural jade is used in the field of decoration. The tiles are dull or low in gloss, the color is relatively dull, and the artificial traces of the texture graphics are thicker, which cannot match the natural aesthetic appreciation of jade.
7. Diversity of natural jade
Jade is a large number of natural minerals, which can be directly processed into straight slabs, or processed into various shapes, such as lines, railings, pillars, and even exquisite handicrafts. The integrated decoration effect is more exciting. Using large-scale, high-precision machinery, the jade material can be processed as desired by the designer. From jade background walls, jade countertops to jade screens and jade sculptures, all kinds of jade decorations are beautifully done. With the collocation of jade carving artwork and jade decoration, the overall harmony can highlight its perfection. The lobby of the seven-star hotel, Wuhan Wanda Ruihua Hotel, is made of jade into a magnificent jade carving wall, which is highly praised by the industry. The ceramic tile is a flat decorative material, which can only be flat on the wall, which is relatively monotonous.
8. Permeability of natural jade
Jade has good light transmission properties and has a variety of light transmission applications. Modern high-precision cutting technology can cut the jade into extremely thin slices, giving the jade a special sense of transparency under the action of light and producing unprecedented effects. The LV building in Osaka, Japan is a successful model for displaying transparent and crystal clear jade. Ceramic tiles do not have such light transmission properties.
9. Durability of natural jade
Jade is a naturally layered structure, even if the surface is scratched, it can be repaired by polishing the crystal surface to maintain the perfect effect. However, glaze loss is inevitable during the use of ceramic tiles, and once damaged, they cannot be repaired.
At present, in the selection of decorative building materials, such a pattern has been formed: low-end places choose ceramic tiles, and high-end places use natural stone, among which natural jade is the most valuable. There are indications that a trend of applying jade decoration has arrived.
