Chinese stone carved little box. Type of stone and age help

This little box is 3 1/2" x 2" x 2" Carved out from a solid piece.
It is marked China With a symbol over it, so it puts it into the 20th century or later?
Tell me it's jade and my $4.00 USD was a great buy lol.
Mikey

 

Does it have a silky or soapy feel? If so, it is soapstone. Fairly easy to carve stone.

 

An, if not...does a steel point scratch it? Nephrite an' Jadeite are harder'n the hubs of Hell.

 

Just need to qualify that as Nephrite is 6 to 6.5 Mohs and hardened steel can be 7.5 mohs and a nail can be 6.5 Mohs - so are capable of scratching nephrite. Just pointing out you need to be careful with the materials when doing scratch tests.

 

I have a soapstone box and comparing the two, this is much harder. I was thinking soapstone, but Google image show me things like this
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1595362023/vintage-chinese-jade-jewelry-trinket-box
Mikey

 

There are also lots of other hardstones used for carvings which can look similar to jade, if you google 'Chinese green hardstone' you will find plenty of examples. These are much harder than soapstone and used for decorative carvings and items. As a specific example checkout Duan Stone which was highly prized and used for scholars inkstones.

 

Thanks everyone!
@Ce BCA can you make out the mark above the word China. Just the one symbol.
Mikey

 

文 Wen - probably meant as 'work of art' in this context

 

Might be shaoshan.

 

Agreed...a judiciously chosen spot in an existing crease or other hidden place, an' the smallest mark possible.

 

LOL, that's a diminutive of my name that some people use. I wouldn't describe myself as a "work of art" though!

 

defently soapstone used widely in chinese art because it is easier to carve than real jade.