Nagqu Cordyceps Authentication and Buyback
A customer from Central sent us photos, saying that several years ago they bought a box of cordyceps from a travel agency during a trip to Tibet. They had kept it as a souvenir until now, constantly worried it might be fake. They wanted an expert to authenticate it before deciding whether to sell it. So, after seeing the initial photos, we asked them to take additional pictures of the underside markings, the grass head, and a broken piece showing the cross-section, and to provide an approximate weight.
Clarifying Before Valuation: To sell Nagqu cordyceps clearly, the first step isn't to ask for the item-specific valuation. Instead, it's to differentiate between complete pieces, broken pieces, fungal aroma, dryness, and the proportion of broken cordyceps. Upon arrival, each piece will be individually inspected.
Photos are for initial direction, while in-person authentication involves smelling the fungal aroma, examining the chrysanthemum pattern, and weighing the cordyceps.
The article discusses origin, dryness, and preservation methods, which are precisely what we check during in-person authentication.
For remote valuations, the clarity of photos is crucial. For this case, we asked them to do three things:
Nagqu Cordyceps Grading: More Than Just the Name
Instead, we meticulously examined several aspects: 4 distinct pairs of legs (the first 3 pairs small, the last pair thick), regular annular rings, clear chrysanthemum pattern in the cross-section, and a strong fungal aroma — once authenticity was confirmed, we moved on to grading.
- Origin: Nagqu is top-tier, followed by Yushu, Qinghai. Xinjiang and Asian stick insect cordyceps are inferior or counterfeits and will not be priced together.
- Weight per piece and specifications: The larger, heavier, and earlier harvested pieces are more valuable. Graded as King of Kings, large, and medium cordyceps.
Upon arrival, each piece will be individually inspected, and the pricing method will be discussed in person.
