Group 1 - The article highlights the prevalence of fraudulent practices in the Hetian jade market, where unscrupulous merchants exploit consumers' lack of knowledge to deceive them and disrupt market order [1][6][21] - In Nanyang's Shifo Town, a major processing and trading hub for Hetian jade, low-quality jade materials are being disguised as high-end Hetian jade through chemical treatments and dyeing processes [3][8][10] - The article details how fake Hetian jade is sold with counterfeit certification, including a rapid production of fake certificates for Afghan jade, which is sold at inflated prices [16][19][21] Group 2 - The rise of live-streaming e-commerce has created a unique "walking broadcast" ecosystem in Shifo Town, where hosts perform scripted sales tactics to promote jade products [23][30] - Merchants and live-streamers collaborate in staged performances to create a sense of urgency and exclusivity, often manipulating prices and product origins to mislead consumers [25][32] - The article reveals that some live-streaming companies employ actors and use exaggerated claims about the health benefits of their jade products to enhance sales, leading to significant profits [40]

Core Insights - The article highlights the prevalence of fraudulent practices in the market for Hetian jade, where unscrupulous merchants exploit consumer ignorance to deceive buyers and disrupt market order [1] Group 1: Market Practices - There exists a counterfeit industry chain in major Hetian jade processing and trading hubs, where low-cost materials such as Qinghai jade and Korean jade are used as bases to mimic high-end Hetian jade [1] - Fraudulent techniques include the use of roller machines for shaping and polishing, as well as chemical agents for dyeing, to create fake Hetian jade [1] Group 2: Certification and Sales - Inferior jade materials containing impurities are treated with a bleaching technique colloquially known as "pulling monkey hair" to disguise them as high-quality jade for sale [1] - Afghan jade, which resembles Hetian jade but is significantly cheaper, is being mixed into Hetian jade sales, with prices in live-streaming sessions marked up by several times [1] - Merchants offer Afghan jade with matching "certificates of authenticity" for just a few yuan, and these certificates can be produced quickly, further facilitating the sale of counterfeit products [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the prevalence of fraudulent practices in the sale of Hetian jade, where unscrupulous merchants deceive consumers by misrepresenting low-quality jade as high-quality Hetian jade, disrupting the market order [1][6][14]. Group 1: Fraudulent Practices - In Nanyang's Shifo Town, a major processing and trading hub for Hetian jade, various low-quality jade materials are being disguised as premium Hetian jade through chemical treatments and dyeing [3][8]. - Merchants are using inferior jade materials, such as Afghan jade and Qinghai jade, and selling them at significantly lower prices while falsely labeling them as Hetian jade [6][16]. - Fake identification certificates for these low-quality jades can be quickly produced, further misleading consumers [18][21]. Group 2: Live Streaming and Marketing Tactics - The rise of live streaming e-commerce has created a unique "walking broadcast" ecosystem in Shifo Town, where hosts perform scripted acts to sell jade products, often inflating their value [23][24]. - Hosts engage in staged negotiations with vendors, creating an illusion of competition and urgency to encourage purchases from viewers [30][24]. - Some live streaming accounts employ exaggerated claims about the health benefits of their jade products, using misleading marketing tactics to attract consumers [45][49]. Group 3: Industry Impact - The prevalence of these deceptive practices not only harms consumers but also undermines the integrity of the jade market, leading to a loss of trust among buyers [1][14]. - The article suggests that the combination of low-quality products and aggressive marketing strategies has resulted in significant profits for these fraudulent businesses, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the industry [51].