Collier's New Encyclopedia

A complete general encyclopedia of 1921 — the world as it was understood just after the Great War, from Aachen to Zwingli, across twelve volumes and six thousand pages.

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Nephrite

a mineral, an aluminous variety of amphibole among the bisilicates, of a leek-green color, massive, and in rolled pieces, remarkable for its hardness and tenacity. It was formerly worn as a remedy for diseases of the kidneys. A unisilicate, zoisite, is also spoken of as nephrite, as is jade.

All three are capable of fine polish, and have been used since prehistoric times for ornaments, weapon-handles, and even weapons.

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