Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-02-22
4 MYSTERIOUS GEM.
fANclEs AND POPULAR sUPERSTi.
TIoNs ABOUT, THE Opal

reliable Stories.
The superstitious breads and fancies sur
rounding the beautiful opal date back to an.
Gent times, but the cause for placing this
wonderful stone, possessing such brilliant
hues, under the ban, as well as the origin Of
the dread, is unknown. Scott, in his "Anns
Of Geirstein, " alludes to the foolish fancy that
has affected the popularity Of gem possess
ing the glories of the rainbow. The Turks
believe that it falls from heaven in the light
ning's fash. It is a matter of history that
the opal was the favorite gem among tho
Romans, and so far from being feared or
looked upon with suspicion and aversion, it
was eagerly sought for, as it was supposed to
possess the power of warning against disaster
and heralding to its owner tidings of good
fortune. The Arabians ascribed to it super.
natural powers, their ardent imaginationa
swayed and stimulated by the flashing play
of ever changing colors emanating from the
magnificent mineral
WHERE THE OPAL Is FUND.
The records regarding old opal mines are
lost, but it is supposed that the ancents de-
rived their supply from Arabia and Syria.
The famous Hungarian mines were not dis
covered until late in the Fifteenth century,
and were of course unknown to the Romans
The principal mines from whence opals are
obtained today are situated in Hungary and
Honduras. The American opal lacks the
hardness of the Hungarian gem, but it is
fully as brilliant, and withstands atmospheric
he
magnificent characteristic of the gem, which
gives it value and renown, is the brilliant
combination of colored reflections which it
displays, and, when the stone is held In the
sunlight, the Latin philosopher was correct
in stating that it was made up of the glories
Of the most precious stones.
The gem is found not only in porcelain
earth, but also in assures and seams of old
igneous rocks. Quartz, when fawed in the
Interior, sometimes exhibits a remarkable
iridescence, and resembles the opal, especially
when viewed at distance. Such specimens
are called iris. The elegant iris ornaments
worn by the Empress Josephine were of re-
markable brilliancy and the wonder and envy
of the imperial court. She also possessed the
finest opal of modern times, which was only
displayed when arrayed in all the grandeur
of full imperial splendor. 1t was indeed
fitting ornament for so beautiful woman.
Its flashing rays of light were so powerful
and vivid as to give the appearance of living
flames Of fire, and from that it received its
title ''lincendir de Troie"-the burning Of
Troy. The fate Of the gem is unknown, but
with the history of the fair owner the most
casual reader is familiar
Empress Eugene had a superstitious dread
amounting to positive aversion for the beau
tiful opal and the stone was stranger at the
brilliant court. It is possible that Eugene
may have been influenced in her hatred Of
the gem from Josephines fondness for the
same, and attributed to the mysterious work
ings of the fiery mineral some subtle, malign
influence that conspired to bring about her
downfall. But the fact remains inscribed
upon the pages of history that although the
opal was vigorously banished from Versailles
md the Tuileries, Eugene fed from Paris
under cover of darkness, covering with terror
in the dusty depths of shabby vehicle, as
the roar Of a raging populace reached her
ears
In deep contrast is the sterling good sense
Of England's queen, who admires and values
the gem to such degree that she numbers
them among her choicest family gifts.
HIGH PRICED GEMS.
The famous opal of history was that which
was worn in ring by the Roman senator
Nonius in the days of the triurnvirate Its
size scarcely exceeded that of hazel nut,
yet its beauty and brilliancy rendered it q
marvel among the dilettanti of Rome, and it
was valued at nearly 81 .OOO, 600. Marc Antony,
bearing in mind the sacrifice of Cleopatra's
Incompatible pearl and still enslaved by the
Egyptian queens irresistible charms, made
overtures for the opal, intending to present
it to the dusky beauty; but Nonius refused to
part with his cherished gem and sought
safety in flight. The extreme beauty and
charm may be estimated when it is known
that to Roman Punishment was worse than
death History makes no further mention
of this wonderful opal It has disappeared
from the worlds collection Of gems, and its
glories have probably yielded to the destruc-
tive effects of time.
The fire opal is found in its greatest per-
lection in the porphyritic rocks at Zimapan,
Mexico. It is generally of a hyacinth red
color, and CLEANS forth with flashes of bril-
liant carmine with yellow and green scintil-
lations. The Mexican production SURPRISES
all other varieties in the intensity and gor-
geousness of its hues, but it will not bear ex-
posture and the sensitive surface soon loses its
flashing beauties. They bring exorbitant
prices in Mexico when sold to the unwary,
who learn all too soon upon returning to the
haunts of civilization that they had paid
nearly so per cent. too much for the gems
The Spanish historians, in their marvellous
stories Of the wonders seen in Mexico at the
time of the conquest, describe the image Of
the mystic idol Quetyalcoatl god of the air.,
on the great pyramid of Cholula as wearing
a inter waving with plumes of fire, and
which was supposed to have been produced
by masses Of the fire opal
The colors displayed by the opal embrace
all the tints in the solar spectrum. The
shades Of green, blue, yellow and red are
vivid and clear.
The grandest specimen of the gem ever dis
covered was unearthed in the mines of Hun
gary in ITO and purchased by the Austrian
government. Its weight was seventeen
ounces, and 1t was three and three-quarter
inches in length. 1t rests in the imperial
cabinet at Vienna and is valued at $500, 900.
The opal is not sold by weight, but its value
depends upon its size and the intensity Of its
fire and combination of colors An opal half
an inch in diameter may have value of S..
and another, no larger, but possessing brill
fancy of hues, may sell readily for s., 200 or
more.-San Francisco tChronicle.
How Hotels Are Protected.
I have frequently been asked how it is