Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-07-10
PRECIOUS STONES.
Superstitions and Beliefs Old as
the Hills.
The Powers of Agate, Diamonds, Emeralds
and a Dozen or More of Other Gems
"A Bouquet That Renders
Its Wearer Invincible.


Agate queuches thirst, and if held in the
mouth allays fever, says writer in the De.
troit Free Press. 1t is supposed, at least in
fable, to render the wearer invisible. and to
turn the sword of foes against themselves.
1t Is the emblem of health and long life, and
Is dedicated to June. In the Zodiac it stands
for Scorpio.
Amber is cure for sore throat and all
glandular sweIlings. 1t is said to be a con-
.cretion of birds tears. The birds which
wept amber were the sisters of Meleager,
called Meleagrides, who never ceased weep
ing for their brothers. death.
Ameythst banishes the desire for drink
and promotes chastity. The Greeks thought
1t counteracted the effects of wine. The
amethyst is an emblem of humility and So
briefly. 1t is dedicated to February and
Venus. In the Zodiac it represents Sagit-
tarlus, in metallurgy copper, In Christian
art 1t is given to st. Matthew, and in the
Roman Catholic church it is set in the pas
toral ring OF bishops, whence it is called the
''prelate's gem"
Cats eye is considered by the Cingalese
as charm against witchcraft, and to be the
abode of some genii.
Coral Is talisman against entertainments,
thunder, witchcraft and other perils of
Hood and field. 1t was consecrated to Jupi-
ter and PhebuS Red coral worn about the
person is considered a cure for indigestion.
crystal induces visions, promotes sleep
and insures good dreams. 1t is dedicated to
the moon and in metallurgy stands for sill
yer.
Diamond produces somnambulism and
promotes spiritual ecstasy. The diamond
is an emblem of innocence and is dedicated
to April and the sun. In the zodiac it stands
for Virgo, in metallurgy for gold, in Chris
tain art invulnerable faith
Emerald promotes friendship and con-
stancy Of mind. If a serpent fixes its eyea
on an emerald it becomes blind. 1t is an
emblem of success in love and is dedicated
to May; in the zodiac it stands for Cancer,
In metallurgy for iron, and in Christian art
is given to ST. John. 1t is dedicated to
Mars.
Garnet preserves health and Joy. 1t is an
emblem of constancy and is dedicated to
January. This was the carbuncle of the
ancients.
Jacinth is also dedicated to January.
Loadstone produces somnambulism, is
dedicated to Mercury and in metaIlurgy
stands for quicksilver.
Moonstone has the virtue of making trees
fruitful and of curing epilepsy. 1t contains
In 1t an image OF the moon, representing its
increase and decrease every month.
Onyx contains in it an imprisoned devil,
which wakes at sunset and causes terror to
the wearer, disturbing sleep with ugly
dreams. Cupid, with the sharp point of his
arrows, cut the nails of Venus during
sleep, and the parings, falling into the In
dus, sank to the bottom and turned into
onyxes. In the Zodiac it stands for AQUA
RUS; some say it is the emblem of August
and conJugal love; in Christian art it SYM
bolizes sincerity.
Opal is fatal to love and sows discord be-
tween the giver and receiver. Given as an
engagement token it is sure to bring ILL
luck. The opal is an emblem of hope, and
is dedicated to October.
Ruby. The Burmese believe that the
ruby ripens like fruit. They say that
ruby in its crude state is colorless, and, as
1t natures, changes first to yellow, then to
green, then to blue, and lastly to a brilliant
red, its highest state of perfection and ripe
ness. In the zodiac it stands for Aries.
Some give it to December and make it the
emblem of brilliant success.
Sapphire produces somnambulism and
impels the wearer to all good works. In
the zodiac it signifies Leo, and in Christian
art is dedicated to st. Andrew, emblamatic
of his heavenly faith and good hope. Some
give this gem to April.
Topaz is favorable to hemorrhages. i'm
parts strength and promotes digestion 1t
is an emblem of fidelity and is dedicated to
November. In the zodiac it stands for
Taurus and in Christian art is given to St
James the Less.
Turquoise, given by loving hands, carries
with it happiness and good fortune. Its
color always pales when the well-being of
the giver is in peril. 1t is an emblem of
prosperity and is dedicated to December.
In the zodiac it stands for Saturn, and in
metallurgy for lead.
A bouquet, composed of diamonds, load
stones and sapphi-es combined, renders a
person almost invincible and wholly IRE
slstible.
All precious stones are purified by honey.