Transparency counts as value in stones used for seal carving. Semilucent t'ien-huang has a fineness, integrity, and gentleness that puts it in the top rank; although huang- shou-shan is somewhat translucent, it is coarse, "loose," and harsh, "and takes the lowest rank.
印石以透明為貴，三者中，半透明的田黃因具有細、結、潤、膩、溫、凝（石之「六德」），故被列為上品；黃壽山雖略帶透明，但它的質地有粗、鬆、躁（色澤刺眼、有浮躁之感）的缺點，故敬陪末座。