Origination:
The term “mutton-fat jade” is unique to China. In Chinese traditional jade culture, it refers to high-quality white jade, describing the texture as delicate, smooth, and white, just like mutton fat. In ancient China, mutton-fat jade was highly regarded
and considered the best among jades. It was often used to make imperial jade articles and ornaments for the nobility, carrying profound cultural heritage and historical value.
While other countries also produce white jade and other jades, there is no such specific term with cultural connotations and strict quality definition like “mutton-fat jade”. Different countries have different classification and evaluation systems for
jade and won’t use “mutton-fat jade” to describe them.