Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-22
pai19Rg eagle
FACTS ABOUT OPALS.
Where the Finest Specimens Of
the Gem Are Obtained.
The Mines Of Honduras and Hungary-The
Famous Ring of the Roman Senator
Nonius-Popular Superstitions At
tached to the Charming Stone.

Nonius-Popular Superstitions At
tached to the Charming Stone.
The records regarding old opal mines art
lost, but it is supposed that the ancients de
rived their supply from Arabia and Syria
says writer in the San Francisco Chroni
Gle. The famous Hungarian mines were
not discovered until late in the fifteenth
century, and were, of course, unknown tc
the Romans. The principal mines from
whence opals are obtained to-day are stu.
ated in Hungary and Honduras. The
American opal lacks the hardness of the
Hungarian gem, but it is fully as brilliant
and withstands atmospheric inroads upon
the colors quite as well. The magnificent
characteristic Of the gem, which gives II
value and renown, is the brilliant conbina-
ton of colored reflections which it displays,
and when the stone is held in the sunlight,
the Latin philosopher was correct in stat
ing 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 f1awed in the
interior, sometimes exhibits remarkable
irldescenoe, and resembles the opal especial
~ when viewed at distance Such speci-
mems are called iris. The elegant iris orna-
ments worn by the Empress Josephine were
of remarkable brilliancy and the wonder
and envy Of the Imperial court. She also
possessed the finest opal Of modern times,
which YVES only displayed when arrayed in
all the grandeur of full Imperial splendor.
1t was indeed O fitting ornament for so
beautiful woman. Its flashing rays of
light were so powerful and vivid as to give
tho appearance Of living flames Of fire, and
from that it received it's title 'Lincendir do
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 Eugenie had q superstitious
dread, amounting to positive aversion, for
tho beautiful opal, and the stone was a
stranger at the brilliant court. It is pos
sible that Eugene may have been in
fluenced in her hatred Of the gem from
Josephines fondness for the same, and at
tributed to the mysterious workings of the
fiery mineral some subtle, malign in
fuence 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 Yer
sailles and the Tuilleries, Eugenie fed from
Paris under cover of darkness, covering
with terror in the dusty depths of o shabby
vehicle, as the roar of raging populace
reached her ears.
The famous opal of history was that
which was worn in ring by the Roman
Senator Nonius in the days Of the TriunVi-
rate. Its size scarcely exceeded that Of o
hazel nut, yet its beauty and brilliancy
rendered it a marvel among the dilettanti
of Rome, and it was valued at nearly ST.
100000 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 fight
The extreme beauty and charm may be
estimated when it is known that to O
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 de-
structive effects of time.
The Gro opal is found in its greatest per-
lection in the porphyritic rocks at Zimapan,
Mexico 1t is generally Of q hyacinth red
color, and CLEANS forth with flashes of
brilliant carmine, with yellow and green
scintillations. The Mexican production sur
passes oil other varieties in the intensity
and gorgeousness of Its huss, but it will not
bear exposure, and tho sensitive surface
soon loses its flashing beauties. They bring
exorbitant prices in Mexico when sold to the
unwary, who learn all too soon, upon re-
turning to tho haunts Of civilization, that
they had paid nearly fifty per cent too
=, f-, 4l,< L J.
n their marvellous stories Of tho wonders
seen In Mexico at the time Of the conquest,
describe the image OF the mystic idol Duet
zalcoaa tgod Of the air., on the great pyrar
mid of Choluia, as wearing inter waving
with plumes Of fire, and which was sup
pos ed to have been produced by masses of
the fire opal.
Tbs colors displayed by the opal embrace
oil the tints in tho solar spectrum. The
shades of green, blue, yellow and red are
vivid and clear. The purchase of opals in
the rough, natural state is hazardous as
speculation, for frequently after having left
the hands Of the lapidary the stone has be-
come transparent, hueless stone. The
Central American opal in numerous IN
stances has been known to fade and gradu-
ally lose ell briuiancy.
was snoarthed in the mines of
Hungary in ITO, and purchased by the Aus
TRAN Government Its weight was seven
teen ounces, and it was three and three
quarter inches in length. 1t rests in the
Imperial cabinet ct Vienna, and is valued
at $500, 900. The opal is not sold by weight,
but Its value depends upon its size and the
Of it's fire and combination of
colors. An opal half an inch in diameter
may have value OF five dollars, and an
other, no larger, but possessing brilliancy of
hues, may sell readily for 49, 900 or mora
One of the prettaest combinations in the
jewelers. art is the opal surrounded with
diamonds. The foolish prejudice and dark
superstitions are rapidly dying out, and the
value OF the gem, which had reached low
water mark during its punishment has in-
fully thirty per cent. During the
last two years the trade and demand in the
gem have increased al rapid pace, and ten
times as many opals are imported now rs
during the preceding decade.
Fifteen years ago the popularity Of the 1
stone began TO wane, Until scarcely one was
TO be seen at a fashionable gathering. Many
aides who were above being swayed by su. I
perstitious fancies admitted they heli in
projudices against tho fiery. /
cleaning combination. 1t is the Jewel of /
October, and all born IN that month NAV
safely stifie all fears they may entertain re-
yardlng il, and woar the opal with impunity.
What Killed President Harrison.