THE MOST COVET-WORTHY GEM OF ALL...

With the highly anticipated Samuel Kung x Thierry Chow Jade Show currently in motion at Lane Crawford stores, we sat down with Samuel, the Shanghai-born, Hong Kong-raised jade jeweller, and Thierry, the modern feng shui expert known for her youthful and eclectic personal style, to get their insights on the importance and benefits of wearing jade.

Left: Image courtesy of Thierry Chow, Right: Image courtesy of Samuel Kung)

“Jade holds a special significance in Chinese culture,” starts Samuel, who has become synonymous for exquisite East-meets-West jade designs. “It symbolises goodness, preciousness and beauty. It also embodies Confucian virtues of courage, wisdom, modesty, justice and compassion. The significance of jade stone to Chinese culture is evident not just historically, but at present as well. There is a Chinese saying that goes ‘gold has a value; jade is invaluable’.”

There is a Chinese saying that goes ‘gold has a value; jade is invaluable’ — Samuel Kung

Thierry expands on how jade jewellery is known to bring good luck in Chinese tradition. “It aligns with the concept of feng shui practice, which strongly focuses on our environment and outfits to create balance and find good fortune. Jade is part of the feng shui earth element, and is very good at grounding an individual,” she says, adding, “I’m a huge fan of jade jewellery — I wear a piece every day.”

Jade is very good at grounding an individual — Thierry Chow

As for which piece of jade jewellery, Thierry suggests choosing one that balances your birth elements as one approach — taking into consideration form, colour, and the symbolism that it carries. “Generally speaking, if you’re born in spring and summer, which are wood- and fire-heavy months, it’s recommended to focus on lighter shades of jade, or jade with round or wavy designs. If you’re born in autumn or winter, look for darker or purple jade, with sharp or angular designs,” she advises.

“From our experience, people tend to choose jade carvings that have feng shui symbols on them, such as ‘Pi Yao’, which symbolises wealth, ‘fish’, which symbolises health and prosperity, and ‘horse’, with symbolises speed and perseverance,” adds Samuel.

Learn more about jade at Lane Crawford’s Autumn Winter 2019 Samuel Kung x Thierry Chow Jade Show. Offering a modern approach to jade jewellery, the show will give guests the opportunity to preview a distinguished assortment of contemporary jade pieces around themes including ‘all about donuts’, ’geometric jade’ and ‘dangling dia jades’ — as well as three very special collaborative styles designed by Samuel Kung and Thierry Chow.

The showcase is taking place at Lane Crawford ifc mall between November 5 and November 12, and Lane Crawford Canton Road between November 14 and November 30.