The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1876-07-13

and empress Of Austria. These latter
specimens are really triumphs Of art
work, as it was formerly deemed impossi-
bic to engraye successfully upon as soft a
stone as the opal. The likeness Of the
emperor Is cut upon fine opal, set in
bracelet and surrounded with emeralds,
rubies, and brilliants, representing the
national colors Of Hungary. The en-
press face is engraved upon a similar
jewel, set in q locket. In both heads the
lines are as clearly cut as in the finest
canoes. They were accomplished after
greatest care and patience by one of the
best artists in Austria, who occupied
over two years in his taak. I can wen
believe what was told by the officials,
that these two engraved opals are the
finest specimens Of their kind in the
world. The largest opal known is con-
tanned in another case. 1t weighs six
and two Carats and Is the Koh-i-nOOr of
Cpals, but, like the Koh-i-noOr, there are
smaller gems that have Us much fire.
There is also gorgeous collection Of
rough opals, unequalled in any museum,
in which the curious may trace the for
nation Of these wonderful products Of
nature from their beginning, up through
their growth in crystal form until the
time when decay begins, a period of time
covering myriads of years, There are
many other gems in this collection worth
calling attention to; but one must see
this exhibit to appreciate it. 1t is be-
coming known as one of the most inter
esting in the department.
WHENCE THE oPALs COME.
The. mines from which these Jewels
come are in the Carpathian mountains,
in themost picturesque part of Hungary,
region now three thousand five hundred
feet above water level, but whose fOrma-
ton shows it to have been thrown up
from far below the sea. The opal mines
are from six to eight miles in extent, and
about one thousand feet deep at their
greatest depth. They are owned BIZ the
government and have been worked for
five hundred years. Their greatest yield
has been within the last thirty years
or since they have been under the direC,
ton of the family of Libanka, Ludwig
Ritter GoIdsChmidt Won Libanka being
at present in charge of them.
The opal is water product, but II
what manner and by what subtle alchemy
its beautiful COIors are developed is {
mystery that is one of natures secrets
All that scientists can Tell us is that the
water in which the opals form rum
through rocks holding gold, silver, nickel
sulphur, iron, antimony, CinnaSar anC
other minerals. The getting out of thu
opals is performed by four hundred men
IabOring alternately day and night unde
the superintendent of Mr.. Lbanka
Like many other luxurious and beauti
full trinkets enjoyed by the rich, tn
wearsr little knows the patient labor
the perils, the time and the refined skill
by the miner, the laPidary and the en-
graver necessary to the preparation o
every single beautiful stone before it j
ready to be set by the ieweler. Som
curious things might be written abou
the prejudice often entertained sgsinz
wearing opals by people who ought t
know better, but who believe in the su
perstition that they bring ill luck upO
the wearer. This singular notion is sal
to have originated in Spain some twent
years ago and to have eliminated i
France under the last Napoleon. 1t ID
compliment to the general intelligence {
Americans to know that it isnet so Otte
heard of in this country. This suPerst
ton, however, must be dying out, IS th
opal is said to be the fayorite jewel of th
ladies of the English court, Queen vi,
toria he,self rarely wearing other jewe
in public. England is now the be'
market for the product Of the opal mine
next to which are Germany and Austria
and as the demand is said to be increa
ing yearly, while the supply is diminish
ing, the merchantable value Of the iewe
il on the increase,
I
The Rev. DR.. Robinson, president
Brown university, recently supplied ii