ROMANCE OF JADE

Waipa Post, Volume 41, Issue 3186, 9 August 1930, Page 7

ROMANCE OF JADE

ITS USE IN CHINA ■ Jade is not only one -of the most fascinating stones; it has a history, too. According to Chinese traditions, when the gods made our mortal earth, they rained down these pieces to give it virtue. Worked jade has been found in tombs that are about 3000 years old. Jade is found in different tints of white, green, yellow, red, brown, grey, blue, lavender, and black. When different colours are combined in an amulet the result is an exquisite ornament. The amulet may represent a yellow frog sitting on green lotus leaves while the lotus leaves themselves would be white—all carved out of a single piece of jade. The forms in which they are carved are symbolic. In China the gift of an amulet in the shape of a pomegranate means " may you have many children." The peony is said to bring wealth. The prunus blossom, which heralds the coming of spring, is considered a suitable gift for a woman. The spirit of life is supposed to dwell in the Great Bear of Constellation, which often appears in amulet. But in the Southern Cross lives the spirit of Death. An amulet which will keep away evil spirits is a disc studded with pellets in relief. The owner of a string of jade* is considered very unlucky if he or she breaks it. Originally, strings were composed of 108 beads, the number of the Buddhist rosary. Because jade is so hard it cannot be cut with steel. This must be done with sapphires crushed to a fine powder and applied to a large revolving wheel. Any boring is done with a diamond and sapphire point.