enormous trade in tiny defective pearls for the Chinese market for no other purpose.
There
is some excuse for the Conquistadors believing that Jade was emerald,
for although the two stones differ so widely in composition and general
appearance as a rule, yet the green colour in both is due to their
chromium content.
The
best grades of Chinese Jade, unlike many other gem stones, are
translucent but never transparent. In the rough state the mineral is
dull and waxlike in appearance. When polished it has what is best
described as a vitreous lustre.
It is interesting to learn that the symbol which stands for the Chinese word yil, and
also for its Japanese equivalent, expressed not only the mineral Jade,
but gems in general, and what is more significant, also stands for the
five cardinal virtues—namely, charity, modesty, courage, justice and
wisdom.
A
substance which in the minds of the whole Mongol race is so intimately
linked with all that is noblest in man is therefore particularly well
suited to be fashioned into love gifts and objects connected with the
nuptial, funereal and religious rites of that race. It was the custom
in China, and doubtless still is the custom, for bride and bridegroom
to drink the ceremonial wine from a Jade cup. Those who have the
opportunity of inspecting the Bishop collection at the Metropolitan
Museum of Art in New York should not miss paying particular attention
to a lovely marriage-wine cup of white Jade with a pale-green tint. It
is the cup from which all the Imperial brides and bride-
