Qing Meng Shi (Flattened, oblique lumps, greenish-gray, pearl luster, loose and fragile texture, fingernail nail can scratch off powder, layered cross-section, visible silvery-green sparkling star points)
【Naming】n
n 【Source】n
Song Jia You
n 【Common Use Level】n
E
n 【Botanical Origin】n
Qing Meng Shi is chlorite schist, a type of silicate mineral. Jin Meng Shi is mica schist, a type of silicate mineral.
n 【Characteristics】n
(1) Qing Meng Shi: A chlorite schist rock, it appears as irregular flattened oblique lumps or small oblique prism-shaped pieces, varying in size. The entire substance is greenish-gray or gray-green, with a slightly pearl-like luster. It is heavy, soft, and brittle, and a fingernail nail can easily scratch off powder. The cross-section is layered and exhibits sparkling star points. It is odorless and has a bland taste.n(2) Jin Meng Shi: A mica schist rock, it appears as irregular lumps or fragmented grains. The entire substance is brownish-yellow, with a dazzling golden luster. It is heavy and loosely textured. When rubbed with a finger, it breaks down into small particles and flakes, mostly in the form of flakes, with a golden, sparkling appearance. A small number are granular, with a yellowish-brown streak and a bland taste.nCalcined Qing Meng Shi appears yellow, while calcined Jin Meng Shi appears yellowish-brown.
n 【Preparation】n
1. Clean Meng Shi thin slices 2. Calcined Meng Shi with Sodium Nitrate 3. Calcined and Quenched Meng Shi
n 【Identification】n
《Bencao Pinhui Jingyao》: “The best ones have subtle golden stars, a firm texture, and a blue color.”n《Bencao Gangmu》: “There are two types, blue and white, with the blue ones being superior.”n《Ren Shu Bian Lan》: “Meng Shi with a color like gold is considered good.” n《Gujin Mingyi Fanglun》: “Meng Shi (calcined with saltpeter, the older the better).” n《Yifang Jijie》: “Meng Shi without golden stars after calcination is unusable; the older the better.” n《Bencao Yidu》: “The ones from Xushan are the best.”n1. Qing Meng Shi: The best ones are blue in color, have intact pieces, have star points on the cross-section, and are free of mud.n2. Jin Meng Shi: The best ones are golden yellow in color, have intact pieces, and are free of impurities.nMain differences: Qing Meng Shi is greenish-gray to black-green, soft, and fingernail nails can scratch off powder. The cross-section is layered and exhibits sparkling star points. Jin Meng Shi is brownish-yellow with a golden luster, brittle, and easily broken.
n 【Category】n
Minerals