From Bargain Hunting to Expert Eye: A Jade Restorer's Auction Practical Experience

Hello fellow collectors! I'm Old Wang, a restorer who has been dealing with jade for half a lifetime. Over the years, countless jade artifacts have passed through my hands, from crumbling ruins to renewed glory. Each restoration is like a dialogue with history. And my connection with jade, in addition to daily restoration work, a large part of the joy and harvest comes from auctions. Today, I want to talk to you about my decades of experience in the auction house, hoping to give you some practical advice.

Introduction: My First Auction 'Bargain Hunt'

I still remember my first auction, which was in the early 1990s, a local craft auction. At that time, I was still an apprentice, with little money, and went purely with a learning attitude. In an inconspicuous corner, I saw a white jade plaque that was in average condition, even a little damaged. The front of the plaque was carved with simple patterns, but there was a clear crack on the back. At that time, the people around me were not interested, thinking that this thing was worthless. But with the intuition of a restorer, I picked up a magnifying glass and observed carefully. Although the crack was deep, it was not貫穿 (through and through), and the jade was warm and moist, with a natural patina. I thought to myself, I can repair this crack, and after it's repaired, the artistic and historical value of this jade plaque will not be greatly affected. In the end, I bought it at a very low price. After returning home, I spent nearly a month carefully restoring it. When it reappeared in front of me, the sense of accomplishment was unparalleled. Later, this jade plaque was collected by a senior collector at several times my restoration cost. This incident made me realize that in the auction house, insight, knowledge, and courage are indispensable.

Core Skills: How to 'Appraise' and Find Bargains at Auctions

• Know yourself and your opponents, do your homework: Be sure to read the auction catalog carefully before the auction and identify the items you are interested in. Then, use the preview time to personally inspect the items. This is the most important step! No matter how exquisite the catalog photos are, they cannot replace the tactile and luster brought by the real object. I usually bring a magnifying glass, a flashlight, and even a small bottle of purified water (to observe the transparency of the jade).


• Pay attention to details, be good at discovering: In jade auctions, the most feared things are 'fake at first glance' and 'damaged at first glance'. But sometimes, some seemingly incomplete items may have intrinsic value far beyond your imagination. For example, an old jade artifact may have some small bumps due to long-term wear or improper storage. If these bumps do not affect the overall aesthetics and the jade quality is excellent, then its value will greatly increase after restoration. My experience is to pay special attention to those 'story-filled' damaged pieces, as they are often overlooked.


• Judging jade quality is paramount: Jade quality is the core determinant of a jade artifact's value. At the auction site, I will judge the jade quality by observing its color, luster, transparency, and structure. For example, Xinjiang Hetian jade's warm oily luster and delicate structure are difficult for other jades to imitate. Touching it with your hand and feeling its warm touch is also an important method.


• Distinguish craftsmanship, differentiate old and new: The carving of jade artifacts is equally important. Old craftsmanship and new craftsmanship have obvious differences in knife work, patterns, and style. Old craftsmanship is often simple and natural, with smooth and powerful lines; new craftsmanship may be too delicate and lack charm. As a restorer, I am very familiar with carving techniques from different periods, which has greatly helped me in judging old and new.


• Estimate restoration costs and potential value: For damaged items, I will quickly estimate the difficulty of restoration, the time required, and the material costs in my mind. At the same time, I also need to estimate the market value after restoration. If the restoration cost is low and the value can double or even more after restoration, then it is worth buying.

• Beware of 'high imitations' and 'aging': Today's counterfeiting techniques are becoming more and more sophisticated, and some high imitations can even deceive inexperienced collectors. At auction, be especially wary of 'perfect' old jades that are unusually cheap. Looking more, learning more, and accumulating experience are the best anti-counterfeiting methods.


• Control emotions, bid rationally: The atmosphere at the auction site is lively, and it is easy to get carried away. You must set a psychological price for yourself and never blindly chase high prices. I have seen people bid sky-high prices for ordinary jade artifacts just to win, only to regret it later.


• Understand auction rules and commissions: Different auction houses have different rules and commission rates. Be sure to understand them clearly before bidding to avoid unnecessary losses.

Decades of collecting and restoration have taught me that jade collecting is not just about accumulating wealth, but also a cultivation of knowledge, insight, and character. Every 'appraisal' and 'bargain hunt' at the auction house is a test and improvement of my professional knowledge. I hope my experience can help fellow collectors avoid detours and add more fun on their jade collecting journey. Remember, looking more, learning more, and getting hands-on are the only ways to become a true collector! I wish everyone can find their beloved items at the auction and harvest their own collection stories!