琭

A rare term for a hard, lustrous mineral that occupies the space between ordinary stone and high-grade jade.

Functions primarily as a noun referring to the material itself, or as a modifier describing an object's composition or its specific luster and color.

The term carries inherent ambiguity regarding whether it refers to:

1. A specific grade of genuine jade (defined by hardness or opacity).

2. A non-jade mineral possessing a jade-like luster (e.g., jasper).

3. A stone that merely resembles jade (an imitation).

In lists of treasures or ritual objects ("the cluster effect"), the specific mineralogical identity is often secondary to the general impression of luxury and rarity; in such poetic or inventory contexts, "precious stone" is typically sufficient. However, if the text concerns material value or ritual accuracy, the translator should determine from context whether the "stoniness" suggests a deficiency (an imitation) or a prized characteristic (such as hardness).