Although jade was difficult to carve because of its incredible hardness, the stone was cherished for its lustrous sheen, and pure, clean lines.
雖然官印的材質須受管制，民間暗地裡用玉印者仍多。玉石瑩潔光潤，色澤高雅，但質地堅密、硬度大，不易刻字，古人之所以喜用玉印，佩戴的功用大過鈐蓋。