瓦德西、罗宾逊、朱天曙主编的《中国玉器(英文版)》以玉器的发展时间为序，分为六章，从石器时期玉器的起源谈起，历经朝代更替，截止到清代。中国玉器一书系统全面地阐述了中国玉器的发展脉络，各个朝代的玉器品质以及特点。全稿在梳理玉器历史脉络的同时，不时关注到玉器发展变化的文化历史背景以及蕴含于其中的哲学思想等深层文化内涵。

Chapter Ⅰ Origin- Jade in the Neolithic Period

 Section Ⅰ The Excavation of Jade

 Section Ⅱ Aesthetic Features of Original Jade Carvings

 Section Ⅲ Ancient Jade Materials

 Section Ⅳ Major Varieties of Ancient Jade

Chapter Ⅱ Emperor Jade Age - Jade of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou Periods

 Section Ⅰ Jade Articles Used in Sacrifice

 Section Ⅱ Jade Animal Carvings

 Section Ⅲ Jade Figurines

Chapter Ⅲ Idealism and Mystification - Jade of the Spring and Autumn Period

 Section Ⅰ Interpretations of the Function and Value of Jade

 Section Ⅱ The Systematization and Idealization of Jade Ritual Vessels

 Section Ⅲ The Personification of Jade Ornaments

 Section Ⅳ The Deification of Jade

Chapter Ⅳ One Hundred Years of Silence- Jade from the Han to the Tang Dynasty

 Section Ⅰ The Decline of Confucianism

 Section Ⅱ The Development of Arts and Crafts

 Section Ⅲ A New Start for Jade Development

Chapter Ⅴ The Influence of Daily Life - Jades of the Song Dynasty

 Section Ⅰ Secularization of Jade Carvings and the Sculpture of the Lotus Boy

 Section Ⅱ Spring Water Jade and Autumn Mountain Jade

 Section Ⅲ Turtle Nesting on Lotus Leaf

Chapter Ⅵ The Final Peak- Jades of Ming and Qing Dynasties

 Section Ⅰ Stages of Jade's Development in the Ming and Qing Dynasties

 Section Ⅱ Lu Zigang, Master of Jade Carving

 Section Ⅲ Jade Pendants of the Ming Dynasty

 Section Ⅳ Jade Furnishing in Qing-dynasty Palaces

Author's Note

A Brief Chronology of Chinese History