The Chinese have revered jade above all other gemstones and it has a unique place in Chinese history.

For the Chinese and Japanese, jade brings good fortune.

In classical Chinese (Ming Dynasty) water gardens, the inspiration for Japanese water gardens, the natural color of the water is prized because it is the color of jade.

North Americans have imported the passion for Japanese water gardens but expunge all evidence of algae, insisting that their ponds remain unnaturally crystal clear.

Paradoxically, this extra work results in a loss not a gain, the Chinese would say.