Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-09-25
Cheating in Gems.

Cheating in Gems.
Chambers Journal.
The invention of what are called
"doublets" in dimond- dealing can be
traced back for centuries. One mode OF
getting up false stones has been descr bed
by jerome Cardan, who has published
in details the method of the inventor,
one Zocolino This PERSONS way OF
working was to procure thin fake of a
very inferior and cheap example of the
stone he desired to ''improve," choosing
those which had little color, and might
in consequence be procured at a nominal
price. As bottom for his makeup
he took bit of crystal which he had
shaped to his purpose; covering this
with transparent glue with which he
lad mixed the necessary coloring ma
teriol, SC as to be like the finest specimen
of the gem he intended to forge he care
fully fixed on the flake of stone, and con-
cealed the joinin of the two SO deity
by careful setting as tomake purchasers
fancy that his gems were not only genu-
inc, but really finer than those of other
jewellers. For time Zocolino fourished,
and was enabled by means of cunning
workmanship to deceive the cleverest
lapidaries; but detection come at last,
and put an end to his fraudulent prac-
ice in making. It may be men
toned as warning to travlers that the
Singhalese at Colombo are experts in
such frauds, and frequently persuade per-
sons to purchase cleverly set up doublets
or pieces of rock crystal cut and polished.
Doublets in many cases, especially
when both parts are really dismonds,
are somewhat difficult to detect, even by
men who have had great experience in
the gem and jewel trades. Often when
these gems have been set in cluster it
has been found on examination that at
least one Of the stones IS made of paste,
OR is perhaps doublet. A rather curl
GUS story went the rounds of the press
some years ago, when on the death of a
lady of title, it was found that more than
third of the family diamonds were
composed of false stones. These imita-
tions had been so beautifully executed
that none but the cleverest dealers were
able to detect them, while in the case Of
some of the stones it was not till their
specific gravity had been tested that a
decision could be arrived at. It has
been found on examination, we believe,
that neck laces of so-called real diamonds
have often contained 20 per cent. of
doublets or other stones of questionable
quality. Respectable dealers in jewelry,
maintain that it is the public who are 20
blame for the production of false jewels,
knowing well enough that genuine gems
could not be given at the prices offered
for them. Retail jewelers. are not seldom
deceived themselves, not being, perhaps,
so we'll aversed in the technical knowledge
Incidental to their trade as they ought to
be. Tradesmer of repute, however, are
exceedingly careful in their selection of
stock, no gem being offered for sale un-
less it is known to be genuine.
No Place For Him.
Estelline Cd. To- Bell.
"What class do you want to enter
your horse ?" said the president of the
agricultural fair as he met the honest
farmer at the gate.
"Enter my horse! [ amt got no horse
to enter nowhere"
'Don't want to put either of your
horses on the track?"
mo, sir"
"Got wheel of fortune or any such
thing you want to set up?"
'Nawr'
"Then what are you driving in with
the wagon for?'
"Why, I've got pun'kin here four
feet high and a lot of big corn and some
O. the best squashes in the whole coun-
try, and there's 2-year old steer tied
behind the wagon that beats anything
you ever saw, know"
THAT may all be, my friend, but this
is no place for you. If you've got a horse
that you want to put on the track or any
kind of a confidence game you might
come in, but as it is we have no room for
you. Come, move on there, and give
Colonel Toeweight chance to drive in.
Go and feed your garden truck to your
big steer"
The Reason why She Left.
Boston Courier.
"Why, you haven't left your place,
Maryw
Eyes have"
:Bless me! Why everybody who has
lived with Mrs. Blank gives her a good
name"