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Chinese Jewelry

In ancient China, jewelry was worn by both men and women to represent wealth and nobility. Chinese culture valued silver and jade over gold, and held each material and subject matter with symbolic significance. These symbols were usually derived from puns, and included luck, health, love, prosperity, success, longevity, and fertility.

Bracelets, necklaces, hair pins, earrings, rings, and various headdresses and headbands were among the many different kinds of jewelry created in China. Ancient jewelry, particularly that of the royals, was buried with the deceased owners. As a result, much of these ancient works survived to modern day.

As trade increased on the Silk Road, so did the variety of materials used to create Chinese jewelry. Lapis lazuli, pearls, cloisonné, ivory, and glass beads were added to the repertoire of materials used to embellish jewelry. The more jewelry the wearer had, the more prestigious he or she was.


Quick Facts

  • Throughout history, the Chinese paid close attention to the symbolism of color in jewelry. Blue kingfisher feathers, blue gems, and blue enameling were reserved for nobility only
  • The art of kingfisher feather ornamentation for jewelry was painstaking and difficult. The feathers of the bird were carefully cut and inlaid using clear glue into silver. This art, called "tian tsui," is now banned
  • Most Chinese jewelry pieces on the art market were created during the Victorian era in China to export to the West due to high demand

Recommended Items at Auction

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Awesome Tibetan Silver Old Handmade DRAGON Mens Bracelet
Feb 16, 10:00 AM EST
Awesome Tibetan Silver Old Handmade DRAGON Mens Bracelet
by South Florida Auction & Estate Sale Services
Est: $6- $1,000
$605 Bids
Awesome Tibetan Silver Old Handmade DRAGON Mens Bracelet
Feb 16, 10:00 AM EST
Awesome Tibetan Silver Old Handmade DRAGON Mens Bracelet
by South Florida Auction & Estate Sale Services
Est: $6- $1,000
$185 Bids
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Tibetan Dzi Bead Gau Pendant. Prayer Wheel, & More
Feb 08, 9:00 AM EST
Tibetan Dzi Bead Gau Pendant. Prayer Wheel, & More
by Keystone Auctions LLC
Est: $150- $350
$1004 Bids
ANTIQUE 22K GOLD FILIGREE CHINESE IVORY BRACELET
Feb 23, 11:00 AM EST
ANTIQUE 22K GOLD FILIGREE CHINESE IVORY BRACELET
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$1,2003 Bids
Artist Hallmarked Tibetan Silver Old Handmade Mens DRAGON Bracelet
Feb 16, 10:00 AM EST
Artist Hallmarked Tibetan Silver Old Handmade Mens DRAGON Bracelet
by South Florida Auction & Estate Sale Services
Est: $6- $1,000
$92 Bids
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Estate Chinese Porcelain & Jewelry Sets
Feb 22, 11:00 AM PST
Estate Chinese Porcelain & Jewelry Sets
by Wealthier Art & Auction
Est: $50- $60
$101 Bid
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Chinese Bangles, Fengshui Coins & Stones
Feb 22, 11:00 AM PST
Chinese Bangles, Fengshui Coins & Stones
by Wealthier Art & Auction
Est: $50- $60
$201 Bid
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Sterling Silver Chinese Zodiac Bracelet + Ruler
Feb 08, 9:00 AM EST
Sterling Silver Chinese Zodiac Bracelet + Ruler
by Keystone Auctions LLC
Est: $75- $175
$251 Bid
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(26) Pieces of Chinese Jade and Hardstone Jewelry.
Feb 09, 10:00 AM EST
(26) Pieces of Chinese Jade and Hardstone Jewelry.
by Clarke Auction Gallery
Est: $300- $500
$1501 Bid
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Set of 7 Chinese Cloisonne Bangle Bracelets
Feb 08, 9:00 AM CST
Set of 7 Chinese Cloisonne Bangle Bracelets
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$151 Bid
4 CHINESE HARDSTONE BANGLES
Feb 09, 2:00 PM PST
4 CHINESE HARDSTONE BANGLES
by District Auction
Est: $60- $120
$301 Bid
A Fine Carved Chinese Agate Archer's Ring
Mar 01, 12:00 PM EST
A Fine Carved Chinese Agate Archer's Ring
by RB Fine Arts
Est: $200- $300
$501 Bid
A CARVED BONE MALA WITH SKULL BEADS, SIN-‘PHEN, 18TH-19TH CENTURY
Mar 07, 11:00 AM CET
A CARVED BONE MALA WITH SKULL BEADS, SIN-‘PHEN, 18TH-19TH CENTURY
by Galerie Zacke
Est: €500- €1,000
€2501 Bid
Chinese Enameled Brooch together with Jadeite Hinged Bangle
Feb 07, 10:00 AM CST
Chinese Enameled Brooch together with Jadeite Hinged Bangle
by Link Auction Galleries
Est: $200- $300
$1001 Bid
Wheel beads
Mar 09, 12:00 PM CST
Wheel beads
by Johhan Auction
Est: NT$15,000- NT$0
NT$15,0000 Bids
Wheel beads
Mar 09, 12:00 PM CST
Wheel beads
by Johhan Auction
Est: NT$10,000- NT$0
NT$10,0000 Bids
Tang Dynasty,A dzi bead, China
Feb 07, 7:00 AM EST
Tang Dynasty,A dzi bead, China
by Hotspot Auctions
Est: $600- $800
$2000 Bids
Qing Dynasty, A set of Porcelain Thumb - rings,China
Feb 07, 7:00 AM EST
Qing Dynasty, A set of Porcelain Thumb - rings,China
by Hotspot Auctions
Est: $1,200- $1,500
$8000 Bids
Tang Dynasty, Dzi bead, China
Feb 07, 7:00 AM EST
Tang Dynasty, Dzi bead, China
by Hotspot Auctions
Est: $800- $1,000
$3000 Bids
Tang Dynasty,Dzi bead, China
Feb 07, 7:00 AM EST
Tang Dynasty,Dzi bead, China
by Hotspot Auctions
Est: $800- $1,000
$3000 Bids
Tang - dynasty Dzi Bead
Feb 07, 7:00 AM EST
Tang - dynasty Dzi Bead
by Hotspot Auctions
Est: $3,000- $4,000
$1,0000 Bids
Tang - dynasty Dzi Bead
Feb 07, 7:00 AM EST
Tang - dynasty Dzi Bead
by Hotspot Auctions
Est: $3,000- $4,000
$1,0000 Bids
Tang Dynasty Dzi Bead
Feb 07, 7:00 AM EST
Tang Dynasty Dzi Bead
by Hotspot Auctions
Est: $1,200- $1,500
$3000 Bids
Tang Dynasty Dzi Bead
Feb 07, 7:00 AM EST
Tang Dynasty Dzi Bead
by Hotspot Auctions
Est: $1,200- $1,500
$3000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Chinese Jewelry


Wealthier Art & Auction

Wealthier Art & Auction

Hotspot Auctions

Hotspot Auctions

YaShawn Auction House

YaShawn Auction House

Hannam's Auctioneers

Hannam's Auctioneers