Yau Ma Tei Jade Hawker Bazaar

"Jade is very important to the Chinese and represents long life, good health, and beauty. Do your homework if you want a serious piece—for example, the best jade is translucent and green; the stuff to avoid is opaque with brown or gray bits. Hundreds of stalls sell jade pendants, bangles, earrings, and good-luck charms based on the year you were born and the animals of the Chinese zodiac. You’ll find loose stones plus pearls and semiprecious jewelry of all styles. Pick up something you like, but unless you’re an expert, think twice about buying an expensive piece of jade here, as there could definitely be fakes in the mix."

"Chinese people consider jade an auspicious stone that brings both good luck and good health. The Jade Market is the primary place to buy it: There are no more than a couple dozen stalls, but it's filled to the rafters with everything from souvenir ornaments to meticulously handcarved pendants and beads. If you'd rather buy a piece of set jewelry, head south from the Market, to the jade jewelers of Canton Road, a.k.a. "Jade Street." - Janice Leung Hayes