>DATE:   Tue, 6 Feb 1996 23:44:43 -0800 (PST)
>FROM:   Ryo-oh-ki <zangief@netcom.com>
>
>Kirati Laisathit said:
 
>> Now that you mention it. While the creation of jewel was never explained 
>> in the first series or even the second series until the very last 
>> episode, I recall seeing something about that in the 101 Facts. It was 
>> said that the jewel was created by the Jurai Tree. I could be wrong 
>> though. Could someone with access to the 101 Facts confirm this.
>
>    The origin of the jewels are not explained in the text.  The closest
>    answer follows the question, "What is the master key?":
>
>        The sap of the trees often crystallizes into a jewel on its
>	branch. If a good one if found, it is cut out together with the
>	branch and carved into a key.  The partner of the Tree keeps it
>	and nobody else can use it unless the partner wishes so.
>
>	...
>
>    Extrapolating, perhaps Ryouko's jewels are perhaps the crytallized
>    sap from Tsunami.  But this is just a pet speculation.  There are no
>    jewels easily visible on either Aeka's or Sasami's keys.  And due to
>    this lack of visual evidence, I'm unsure whether this answer relates
>    to Ryouko's jewels versus "typical" jewels (whatever they may be).

This I really doubt; in #6 it's explained that the master key as a 
sword only draws power from a tree, and therefore Kagato was able to 
make it useless by cutting off the Jurai trees from the battlefield.  

The jewels, on the other hand, are sources of awesome power in and
of themselves.

					- Harold