Based on abundant archaeological findings as well as documentary records

three climaxes of colored gems and jades utilization were indentified in Chinese history

which were naturally formed in the communication between Chinese and foreign cuture along ancient silk roads. The first climax occurred in Han-Wei Period with colored jewelries such as turquoise

lapis lazuli

red gems

coral

amber

agate

etc. in the archaeological findings. The second climax were in Tang-Song (Liao) Dynasty being accompanied by the utilization of the most precious gems like ruby

sapphire and topaz as well as those in the first climax. The third climax occurred in Ming-Qing Dynasty with important gems & jades such as ruby

sapphire

emerald

cat's eye

lapis lazuli

tourmaline and green jadeite. The first peak utilization of colored gems and jades is initiated by Chinese people exploring central Asia through Northern Silk Road. The second is rooted in the prosperous Sino-western commercial and cultural connections during Tang-Song (Liao) Dynasty. The third climax

being born with relatively complex reasons

first derived from the active goods trade in Ming Dynasty along the Maritime Silk Road because of China's open to the west

and finally formed in the military pressure from  western countries in the Qing Dynasty. In the third climax

introduction of green jadeites along Southeast Maritime Silk Road led Chinese jade culture into a new period with a transition from nephrite-dominated to jadeite & nephrite-dominated jade culture. Archaeological findings reveal that China's colored gems & jades culture was developed in the communication between Chinese and western culture along ancient silk roads. In the meantime

major colored gems and jades were imported from overseas countries. So the colored gems & jades culture in China

valuing more color rather than texture

is a kind of exotic culture.