💎 Why Do Carved Pieces from Jade & Agate Look Sharper Than Quartz?

A curious customer recently asked us this at the Mountain Jade — and if you've ever wondered the same, let MJ break it down for you 😚

💎 1. Stone Texture & Workability

Jade and Agate have a naturally smooth texture with minimal impurities like air bubbles or internal fractures. This makes them glide easily under carving tools, resulting in crisp, refined details.

Quartz, especially Rutilated Quartz, is very hard but also brittle due to internal bubbles and thread-like inclusions. Carving it is like skating on thin ice—the artisan must carefully gauge every cut to avoid cracks. This makes it much harder to achieve uniform, clean results across different pieces.

✨ 2. Color & Inclusions

Stones with even color and fewer inclusions give carvings a clear sense of depth and elegance—and Jade & Agate are perfect examples!

Plain Quartz can achieve similar beauty if the right slab is chosen. But with included Quartz, a poor cut can lead to patchy, uneven pieces. On the flip side, when a skilled carver finds the “golden spot” in the stone, even Quartz can become a collector’s masterpiece!

🛠️ At Mountain Jade, we work with experienced, skilled artisans who carefully select the best raw stones and match them with patterns that highlight their natural beauty. Each carving is thoughtfully designed and brought to life with refined craftsmanship—every piece is a work of art in its own right.

We currently have a wide range of beautifully carved pieces in the shop—come by and see the difference in person! 🥰