Another stone regarded with great superstition, but of good omen, deserves some notice. Jade is found in Asia and Oceania, and is celebrated for its toughness, and for its popularity, particularly among the Chinese.

Many centuries ago, in ancient China, it was believed that a cup made of jade, gave health to him who drank from it, and also counteracted poison. Emperors, nobles, and fathers of families who feared poison gave high prices for jade drinking vessels, for it was believed that liquid containing poison would foam up when brought into contact with this mineral. Even to-day it is still the ” lucky ” stone of China, and a sceptre or a cup of jade is a gift made to a man whom the Emperor desires to honour. The most valuable jade in a Chinaman’s eyes is a particular shade of dark green, semi-transparent, brilliant and hard.

But commerce in jade was and is not confined to China. In ancient European tombs of the Stone Age axes and hatchets of jade have been found. Columbus discovered that a jade-like stone was held in high honour by the natives of Central America. Amulets of Amazon stone, akin to jade, have also been found in Egypt. Spaniards of a few centuries ago firmly be¬lieved that this stone hung about the body was good for the kidneys and stomach.