"In the past 30 years, I have personally handled hundreds of thousands of antiques and have never missed a fake. Besides, business is all about honesty. Why would I want to destroy my reputation?
"You only need to feel the texture to know that that jade fan is carved from top-quality white jade, and look at the lines to know that it's exquisitely carved. Only a craftsman from the palace can create a piece like that!" the owner said, spittle flying everywhere.
The onlookers outside the store subconsciously nodded, believing his every word.
"Yeah, the craftsmanship of that jade fan doesn't seem to be fake!"
"A fake would not have such a luster to it."
"He's right…"
Skylar smiled when he heard all the comments around him. 'All those people here against one lonesome Darryl. It's obvious who's the one telling the truth here.'
"Darryl, the people have spoken. What do you have to say for yourself?" Skylar asked mockingly.
"If Mister Darryl says that that jade fan is fake, then it's fake!" Jewel said. She had utter faith in Darryl's knowledge of antiques.
Darryl exhaled gently and first looked at Skylar, then at the owner. "Yes, that jade fan is made from the best white jade, and the carving is also top-notch. Unfortunately, it is not from the Song Dynasty but made in the last two years.
"At first glance, the black traces in the carvings on the top look like they were caused by hundreds of years of precipitation but were actually created by a distressing method. After smearing the jade fan with a special pigment, it is buried in the soil for a month. Then, it would be polished to give the illusion of precipitation.
"It is a very clever method, but a fake will always be a fake, and the facts can't be changed."
Then, he turned to the owner with a smile and said, "This is undoubtedly your first case of letting a fake slip through your hands."
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