Guan Yin Jadeite

Guan Yin (观音), the bodhisattva of compassion and mercy, is one of the two most-worn jade figures. By old custom she is worn by men, nan dai Guanyin (男戴观音), her calm thought to steady a temper, while the laughing Buddha is worn by women. It is a custom, not a rule, and many people simply choose the figure they feel closest to. We share the meaning as cultural history, not as a claim about what a carving will do. When choosing a Guan Yin pendant, look at the face and hands, where the carver's skill shows, and at how the stone's colour and translucency fall across the figure. Each piece here is natural, untreated Grade A.