Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-06
SUPERSTITION ABOUT GEMS.
Some Of the Curi0ns Ideas Of Mythologi.
cal Origin Attaching to Them.


Some Of the Curions Ideas Of SIythologi-
cal Origin Attaching to Them.
From the London Standard
Each gem is supposed to possess certain quail
titles which are its special dowry. The origin
of this practice can generally be traced in the
etymology of the word, or in the myth or le-
gend attached to each gem in the country
where it was first found. Many Of them are
doubtless Of Persian or Semitic origin, but the
Greek mythology contains them nearly all.
Thus, adamas or diamond was Cretan youth
transformer by Zeus into brilliant and placed
among the stars. Amethyst was another cody
favorlte. whom Diana turned into a purple
tinted stone, to which Bacchus added the color
of wine. To some such origin, and chiefly from
the color OF the gems their various qualities
owe their prestige in ancient and modern lore
The kingly diamond, which has become the ap.
panage Of aristOcracy, is the symbol of justice,
innocence, constancy, and impassivity of fate
Camille Leonardus assures us that il battles the
deadliest poison and the most subtle witchcraft.
1t moreover protects ladies against those hor-
rlbie nocturnal visitors, incubes. The Koh-i-Noor
was for centuries the talisman of India; and
when, years ago, the governor of Borneo offered
S5OO,OOO, two equipped war brigs and numbers
OF cannon for the famous stone of
Matan, the rajah refused. on the plea that
with it, and that the water in which it was
dipped cured all diseases. Not less powerful
was the sapphire, SO useful once to the necrO-
mancer, or the holy stone, as it was called
being the emblem Of chastity and securing the
granting of all prayers. The pagans dedicated
decree of Innocent III, in the twelfth century,
but in modern days it has met with a sad re-
version of fate, and is no longer accounted a
lucky stone. The ruby. the ive-coal of the
Greek, is not less mathematical and potent
and the Brahman traditions speak wonders of
the abodes Of gods, lighted by enormous rubies
and emeralds. 1t was believed to dispel evil
thoughts, and warned its wearer of danger by
becoming black or obscure. The East Indian
merchants still prize it SO highly that they
viii not willingly show fine specimen with
out a bride; and the Chinese present it to
the present day, as a most sacred token of
friendship. The now humble garnet and the
oblong carbuncle share the favors of their
parent, the ruby the latter of the two being
famous for its light-giving properties in the
dark. TOpaz-the gold-stOne Of the ancients-
was much valued by them for medicinal pur-
poses, for dispelling enchantment and for
calming frenzy. II superstition had still 80
firm a hold as once it had upon the minds Of
educated people, what favorite the amethyst
would be. since such a stone, especially when
set in a cup, rendered the possessor of it inca
pable Of intoxication. According to modern
etiquette, the amethyst is the only stone which
may be worn during mourning. The peerless,
starry opal, that child Of love, as it has been
called, far from being an unlucky stone, as it
by Albertus Magnus. Marbodeus and others,
to rejoice the heart Of its owner by
rendering him lovable and bestowing
upon him the gift of invisibility, which
made it the patron stone of robbers.
To be on the right side Of this gems influence
some say that one ought never to accept it as a
present. 1t has, however, been asserted that
the opal was not considered unlucky in England
until Sir Walter Scott published his ''Anne of
Geierstein." The veneration of the Peruvians
for the green emerald, dedicated to Mercury
shippers of Mantu still believe that the mines
whence are extracted all the daughters of the
mother-gem are guarded by terrible genii,
dragons, and other one-eyed people. The beryl
was once supposed to increase conjugal love
and to cure distemper and leprosy; an agate.
quench thirst and to turn away storm and
lightning, even coral, Of which the Neapol-
ltans still wear amulets to avert the evil eye.
Turquoise, according to Boethius, especially
protects against falls and heals differences
between man and wife. Amber wards off
erysipelas and all soreness of the throat
Sard, cornelian, and the stone bezoar. men
toned by Lord Lytton, especially staunch all
hux blood and cure serpents' bites, while hello
trope confers the gift of prophecy and long
life. Many more precious stones might be
quoted, and these cursory remarks should not
be closed without a word about the lily among
gems, the moonlight queen where the opal is
the star, viz: the pure and delicate pearl.
Whether supplemented fishermen still believe
or not that they are the tears of angels or OF
naiads, or celestial drops of dew, hardened
within the shell of an oyster, the priceless gem
will ever be considered as the emblem of pu-
rity and the representative of all feminine vir-
tues. If but a part Of the potent qualities as
cribed to this gem and to precious stones in
general by world-old traditions, which are even
now 10th to die out, could be conferred in real
ity, what influence gems would have in human
lives. But jewel lore is only relic Of the
past, and a further proof of mans innate pas
sion for scrutinizing the physical and moral
nature of everything.