The Discriminated Gem

“The Discriminated Gem” is a contemporary jewelry project by Xiangzhi Zhao that explores the interaction between materials and time. The project originated from an observation: rare crystals can randomly form on ancient coins, and these crystals are often considered worthless because they can damage the coins. The project re-evaluates aesthetics and value through the decay and imperfection of objects, revealing the intrinsic historical and aesthetic depth of discarded materials.