A carved jadeite laughing Buddha. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2013.

The highly translucent jadeite carving of intense emerald green colour, depicting a laughing Buddha holding a lingzhi spray and a large cloth sack, to the carved wooden stand, carving approximately 103.0 mm high. Estimate $82,521 - $132,034. Price Realized $1,094,234.

Accompanied by report no. KJ80905 dated 30 July 2013 from the Hong Kong Jade & Stone Laboratory stating that the Buddha is natural jadeite and no polymer is detected

Unlike diamond and other gemstones, jadeite has a very delicate and varying composition. Its complex aggregate structure renders it susceptible to impurities and cracks, as well as variations even within the same stone. Two jadeite materials from the same stone can vary drastically in colour, texture, translucency and purity, making it extremely difficult to produce matching jewellery sets. Even more difficult is carving a full-coloured decorative piece from one whole stone. The tone has to be kept consistent throughout and void of all cracks and impurities. Due to the complexity and the level of risk involved, jade merchants and artisans tend to divide a full-coloured jadeite into numerous cabochons or pendants for sale to increase profits and cost effectiveness.