"Eggshell" Nephrite
Nephrite jade is a microcrystalline material that has been treasured in China for thousands of years, used for everything from burial suits to bells, weapons, ornaments and tea sets. It is a relatively soft gem material (6-6.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness), which makes it easy to carve, but it has excellent toughness, which means it holds up well against impact. This eggshell-thin nephrite vase is a paragon of Chinese art. The uniformity of its thickness (thin enough to let light through) and the fineness of its carved lotus branches, demonstrate incredible skill and craftsmanship.