Morning journal and courier., 1889-08-27
Superstitions About Gems.

From the British Jewellers Review]
 Each gem Is supposed to possess certain qualities 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 legend attached to each gem in the ooun- try 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 a Cretan youth transformed by Zeus into brilliant and placed among the stars. Ame- thyst was another godly favorite, whose Diana turned into 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 l kingly diamond, which has become the ap- panage of aristooraoy, Is the symbol of jus- | tice, innocence, oonstanoy, and impassivity | of fate. Camille Leonardus assures us that | 1t bafi1es the deadliest poison and the most | subtle witchcraft. It moreover protects ladies against those horrible nocturnal visitors | inoubes. The Koh-i-noor was for centuries the talisman of India, and when, years ago, | the Governor of Borneo offered $5eO, GOO, two equipped war brigs and numbers of cannon, | for the famous stone of Matan, the rajah re- fused, on the plea that the fortunes of his family were connected with 1t, and that the water in which it was dipped cured all \ diseases.
 Not less powerful was the sapphire, so
 stone, as it was called, being the emblem of
 chastity and securing the granting of all
 prayers. The pagons dedicated it to Appol- To. It became the episcopal stone by decree
 of Innocent III, in the twelfth century, but
 in modern days it has met with sad rever-
 sion of fate, and is no longer lucky stone.
 The ruby, the live coal of the Greek, is not
 less emblematical and potent, and the Brah-
 min traditions speak wonders of the abodes
 of gods, lighted by enormous rubies and
 emeralds. It was believed to dispel evil
 thoughts, snd warned its wearer of danger
 by becoming black or obscure. The East
 Indian merchants still prize 1t 50 highly that
 they will not willingly show a fine specimen
 without a b1ibe; and the Chinese present 1t,
 to the present day, as most sacred token of friendship. The now humble garnet and the
 oblong carbuacle share the favors of theil
 parent, the ruby, the latter of the two being famous for it's light-giving properties in the dark. Topaz, the gold stone of the ancient was much valued by them for medicinal pur
 poses, for dispelling enohantment and fsl
 calming frenzy. If superstition had still st ! firm a hold as once It Aa0 upon the minds O1 , educated people, what a favorite the amethys would be, since such a stone, especially wher
 set in a cup, rendered the possessor of i . incapable of intoxication. According t modern etiquette, the amethyst is the onl. 7 ! stone which may be worn during mourning
 The peerless, starry opal, that child of love
 as 1t has been called, far from being an un
 lucky stone, as it is now supposed to be, wa once believed by Albertus Magnus, Mar 5 bodeus, and others to rejoice the heart o l its owner by rendering him lovable, and be :. slowing upon him the gift of invisibility I which made 1t the patron stone of robbers l To be on the right side of this gems inAu :. ence some say that one ought never to acoel Q it as present. It has, however, been as . serted that the opal was not considered UT a lucky in England until Sir Walter Scott pull Il lished his sAnne of Geierstein.'
 n The veneration of the Peruvians for th green emerald, dedicated to Mercury by th ancients, is we'll known, and the worshippe1 e of Mantu still believe that the mines whene Il are extracted all the daughters of the mothe if gem are guarded by terrible genii, dragon - and other one-eyed people. The beryl WI 10 once supposed to increase conjugal love an 10 to cure distemper and leprosy; an agate k quenoh thirst and turn away storm ar