What substance is on the back of the Beijing Olympic medal?

Question

I think the 2008 Olympic medals are so beautiful, but have noticed that one side has a white substance encircling a small disc. What is the white substance? Porcelain? Mother of Pearl? China is known for both porcelain and its pearls. I haven't been able to locate the answer to my question anywhere. Does anyone know?

Answer 1

They are jade, it was mentioned on the news once. But yes, the medal has a piece of jade in the back.

Answer 2

it's simple, the white colour thing on the back is JADE.  

Answer 3

It is jade, Kunlun Jade actually which is similar to but less expensive than Hetian white jade. The jade is produced in Qinghai province and are not very commonly used in making household jewelleries due to its relatively pricey nature.  

Answer 4

I believe the medals have jade in them.

Answer 5

Jade.

"The gold, silver and bronze medals will carry the same design, with a finer white jade in the gold medal, a slightly darker shade in the silver medal, and a green jade in the bronze medal."

Answer 6

The medal for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games is designed with inspiration coming from "bi", China's ancient jade piece inscribed with a dragon pattern. The medals, made of gold and jade, symbolize nobility and virtue and are the embodiment of traditional Chinese values of ethics and honor, sending forth strong Chinese flavor.

The medals are 70mm in diameter and 6mm in thickness. On the front side, the medal adopts standard design prescribed by the International Olympic Committee. While on the back, the medal is inlaid with jade with the Beijing Games emblem engraved in the metal centerpiece. The design inspiration of the medal hook derives from jade "huang", a ceremonial jade piece with decoration of double dragon pattern and "Pu", the reed mat pattern.

Noble and elegant, the Beijing Olympic Games medal is a blending of traditional Chinese culture and the Olympic spirit. It gives the winners of the Games great honor and acclamation as recognition of their achievement.

Note:

bi: a flat jade disc with a circular hole in the center

huang: a semi circular jade ornament



http://en.beijing2008.cn/spirit/beijing2...

Answer 7

It's Jade as answered by the previous posts. Just want to add that the jade medals are designed so athletes can throw then in the air and land on the ground without breaking, thanks to a chinese patented cushioning material inserted inside the jade's frame.  

Answer 8

Jade