The early Chinese believed that jade had an immortality of its own and was impervious to decay. For them there was no substance nobler, purer, more durable, or more pre-eminently suitable for the fashioning of religious emblems and the embodiment of dogma. This fascinating book is a must-read for anyone interested in this history of jade, and contains a comprehensive outlining and analysis of the use and veneration of this stone in ancient China. Chapters contained herein include: Jade Quarries, The Significance of Jade, Astronomical Instruments in Jade, The Six Ritual Jades, Tablets and Weapons, Jades for the Living and the Dead, Vessels of Jade, and many, many more. A great addition to any collection of antiquarian gemmological literature, this scarce book was originally published in 1923 and is proudly republished here with a new introduction to the topic.