On elegant jade pendants and charms, ladies stand at doorways and balconies, play the flute or kick up their heels in short skirts. Zhai Yiwei updates an ancient art with new ideas.

Chinese people traditionally regard jade as more precious than gold. The shining yellow metal has value but jade is invaluable, the old saying goes.

Appreciation of jade has grown with Chinese civilization and remains popular, despite the love of glitter and gem stones.

While jade comes in many colors, carving artist Zhai Yiwei is especially fond of soft white jade, symbol of purity, nobility and perfection.

"Chinese people have attached too many mysterious labels to jade in the past," says Zhai, who has been carving jade for more than 20 years. He specializes in jewelry and accessories; the jade comes from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Jade is the symbol of beauty, and everyone can appreciate and own it now," he says. He creates new art that combines ancient motifs with modern elements.

Jade was carved into sacrificial vessels, tools, ornaments, utensils, accessories and other items. Buddha, animals and scenery are the classic themes in traditional jade carving.

Craftsmen used established models and patterns for carving jade that was given as gifts representing China.

Artist Zhai takes an innovative approach to jade carving. On small pieces of stone he depicts modern life and emotions. Among his better-known creations is a pendant or charm featuring an elegant woman standing at an ornate window. He adds two lines of poetry.

Other pendants feature women in doorways and thresholds of graceful 1930s Shanghai. Some women wear mid-calf-length skirts and kick up their heels. The delicate craftsmanship and pure creamy white color create small works of art, scenes with feeling.

For many white jade lovers, the whiter the better, however, in Zhai's eyes, every piece of jade is unique in its tones, touches of other colors, textures and shape. It is through rich and natural coloring that quality can be judged.

"We should broaden our minds in jade carving while absorbing some good aspects from the old times," says Zhai. "Sometimes people pay too much attention to the texture and quality of the raw jade. That is important, but innovative and better craftsmanship is what I am pursuing."

Zhai spent two years in Japan and that experience opened his mind to the possibilities of jade carving. He was impressed by the prosperous handicrafts industry. "Japanese artists have found a way to combine traditions and creativity," he says. "I am inspired."

Now he has opened his own jade-carving workshop, creating wares known as "Shanghai-style jade carving" in the industry.

His goal is simple: "I love to be a pioneer in creating jade carving."

(Shanghai Daily January 29, 2008)