We now come to a mystery which has never been fully explained. We refer to the widespread use in the art of jade and the fact of the great appreciation of this stone in the Far East, particularly in China, where its symbolic status was higher than gold or diamonds. Jade is a beautiful stone, taking high polish, and is really of several kinds, but only two are important. Jadeite is a  csilicate of sodium and aluminium; Nephrite, a silicate of calcium and magnesium Jadeite and Nephrite are most commonly green in colour, although also in other colours from white to deep richest green, but it is the deep emerald green translucent stone that is praised with religious enthusiasm. 

From the dawn of their own very ancient civilisation, the Chinese in particular who are well versed in occult wisdom and have a knowledge of mysticism which goes far beyond and achieved by western minds, have valued this gem stone for its therapeutic powers. Sufferers from intestinal troubles sometimes wore necklaces or amulets of jade round the neck, or suspended over the area where the pain or trouble was located. It was believed that wearing jade, in any form, relieved palpitations of the heart, as well as many dropsical conditions. In the Orient, it retains much of its ancient reputation both as a luck-bringer and a focusing link with non-physical forces.

Closely akin to bloodstone, especially in its red spots, is the stone called silex or jasper. The best stones are orange, but many are mixed in colour showing chocolate, brown, yellow or green or grey. The jasper had great repute in ancient times as a rain bringer. Evidentlly, the green hue of this translucent stone suggested its association with the vendure of the fields in an even closer degree that was the case with transparent green stone such as emerald. Jasper was also creditted in the forth century with virtue of driving away evil spirits and protecting those Will wore it from the bites of venomous creatures. Another author recommends the use of this stone for the cure of snake bites, and states that if it be placed upon the bitten part, the matter will come out from the Wound. Here the cure is operated, not by the absorbed quality of the stone, but by its supposed power to attract poison or venom to itself, thus removing the cause of disease.

Jasper is usually orange in colour but it exists in all sorts of coloured, patterned or marked varieties; the marks sometimes being thought of as significant. Jasper "like the emerald" was believed to possess altogether exceptional magical virtues as an amulet. Jasper denotes satisfaction and is figured the truth or faith. 

"A blue stone with little gold Spots," and this colour is healing one. Lapis Lazuli, is an aluminium silicate. Sometimes said to have been the sapphire of the ancients, was a very much favoured stone of the ancient Egyptians. Lapis Lazuli is a rich uniform indigo colour, contrasting beautifully with turquoise. Lapis Lazuli, although a very beautiful stone, is no substitute for sapphire. Both are powerful occult symbols Lapis represents the earth-mother, sapphire the sky-father. The stone was supposed to have been used for curing the ill effects of an act of incest. Lapis Lazuli was famous in antiquity for its healing powers, and there was never any secret about these. It was a cure for melancholy and for the "quartern fever" an intermittent fever returning each third day, each fourth day counting in the previous attack. 

It seems to be less shrouded in mystery. Malachite is a fine blue stone streaked with more or less paraIlel wavy markings, white or pale and dark green. In the East, malachite has, since antiquity, been much in favour of as a talisman or amulet peculiarly appropriate for children. If a piece of this stone were attached to an infant's cradle, all evil spirits were held aloof and the child slept soundly and peacefully. A malachite talisman ensures sleep, protects disaster by lightning, ensures constancy in love and friendship. It shared with turquoise the repute of protecting the wearer from danger in faIling, and it also gave warning of approaching disaster, by breaking into several pieces.

The Moonstone is a variety of Feldspar. In colour it is pale, watery, yet in certain lights and conditions it takes on, milky, opalescent blueness. The colour of the jewel is very similar to the hue of moonlight and one of its fascination is that it changes in the same way. The moonstone is believed to bring good fortune and is regarded as a sacred stone in India. It is never displayed . for sale here except on a yellow cloth, as yellow is an especially sacred colour. The Indians long believed that it has the action of the Moon's rays from the stone, which gave it that colour. It was recommended as talisman for those afflicted with dropsy and some internal complaints, especially those affecting the circulation. Fevers and feverish conditions were allayed when a moonstone was worn upon the person, or perhaps applied to the temples or over the eyes.

It is chemically similar to sard with distinct alternating bands of black and white. Those who are in the land of China fear this stone so much that they dread to go into the mines where it occurs. Indeed no one is willing to wear it, unless he be bereft of his senses, for whosoever wears it, will have fearful dreams and be tormented by a multitude of doubts and apprehensions. He will also have many disputes and law suits. Lastly, whoever keeps an onyx in his house,or places it in a vessel, puts it in food or drink, will suffer loss of energy and capacity. Indians and Persians, however, are said to use it to protect against the Evil Eye. If applied to the eye, it acts as if it was alive, by creeping about and removing anything noxious. 

This gem is a little more fragile than many others, and should be more carefully handled and guarded. This is mysterious stone, credited with all sorts of occult power and influence, credited, too, unfortunately with the reputation of being a jewel of ill omen, but black opal is universally regarded as an exceptionally lucky stone. Why this legend of bad luck has grown up around it, is hard to tell. It is a form of soft quartz and the extra ordinary range of colours it diaplays is due to very small particles of air which have become enclosed in the innumerable tiny cracks upon the jewel's surface. Since water is bad for this soft and porus jewel, it shall never, in fact, be left upon the hands when they are washed.