寿山石

Shoushan Stone

Translated by ascetlan

       产于福建省福州市寿山乡，故名。质纯者色白。微含其他成份者五彩。微透明至半透明，极少数透明，呈珍珠光泽、凝脂光泽、玻璃光泽。青田石坚致，芙蓉质感柔糯。寿山石最大特徵是色泽浓艳，质纯细，感觉腻、糯、柔。

Shoushan Stone is quarried from Shoushan Mountain, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, hence the name. Those stones with smooth texture present snowy whiteness; those containing trace elements display a spectrum of five brilliant colors. Some assume sub-translucent, other semi-translucent, yet few are found transparent, each beaming a luster of crystalline pearl or watery cream or vitreous body. Qingtian Stone features high-rigidity and compactness while Furong Stone feels soft and supple. Shoushan Stone distinguishes itself by its bright color, fine grain, exquisiteness, suppleness and silkiness.

      寿山石中最名贵者为田黄。形成它价格昂贵之原因，一是历史上传说明太祖、清乾隆均曾与田黄结缘，因而身价倍增。加上黄色向为王者专用，而田黄又特别晶亮黄贵。二是“意头好”，所谓“福寿田”也向为王者所追求，象徵福寿双全之意，易计人喜。

Tianhuang Stone is regarded the rarest among various species of Shoushan stones. It is held dearest for two reasons: firstly, history has it that it is related with the first emperor Zhu yuananzhang (1328-1398) of the Ming dynasty and the emperor Qianlong (1736-1795) of the Qing dynasty. In addition, the color of yellow is used exclusively by king and Tianhuang Stone fits best due to its sparkling yellowishness and royal luster; secondly, Tianhuang signifies a good omen. The so-called Fushou Tian or Fushou Field, always sought after by kings and rulers, symbolizes happiness and longevity; therefore, the peculiar stone is much favored by people.