Combining Confucius and Terry and the Pirates
Jade, said Confucius, is a virtuous gem: its warmth and luster typify charity, its translucence signifies sincerity, its sturdiness bespeaks courage, and it mirrors intelligence and wisdom. For centuries, the Chinese cherished jade; Emperors decreed their exclusive right to it. Now others have caught the fever: travelers, especially the Japanese and Americans, scour the jade markets in Hong Kong, Asia's jade capital, for items ranging from simple stones or carvings that sell for $20 to exquisite rings that can cost $120,000. Hong Kong's jade traffic...