The herald. (Big Stone City, Dak. [S.D.]) 1883-1890, 1889-08-02
NO.. .5T
IMITATION GEMS.
How They Are Made-Why Paste Dia-
monds Are So Frequently Worn.

monds Are So Frequently Worn.
A New York Mai and Express re-
porter recently asked a Maiden Lane
diamond merchant. pointing to pen
dnnt in the window:
"Do You mean to say those are not
diamondsp"
mo more diamonds than they are
eggs. Simply exceeding fine specie
mems of French paste, which is the
best imitation of the diamond yet dis
covered" was the reply.
What is French paste?'"
"lt is a peculiar kind of glass, per-
feetcd in Paris by nonault-Wieland.
Its basis is finely powered rock crys-
tai melted with other minerals"
Are these limitations rs brilliant
and expensive rs the doublcts the
gems made by imposing a thin face of
real diamond on backing OF rock
crystal?'
"Thcy are more brilliant and cost
less IN proportion to size--much less;
but the doublets are by far the most
durable"
"What other gems are initiated as
successfully as the diamond?"
"Rubies and sapphires even more
SO. Tho limitations of them actually
possess the same chemical composition
rs the real stones. The gems SO made
are expensive, but much less SO than
the real stones, and are very hard,
with tine lustcr and excellent color, il
the proportions of the material are
exactly right. EmeraldS, topazes,
rarnets, aud various other more or
less valuable gems arc all we'll initiated
in glass colorcd with different silicatcs
and oxides. Sham pearls are also -
we'll made that, when properly set,
they can not be distinguished from GEN
uine ones. The are simply beads of
clear glass, coated inside with
ustrous solution obtained from the
| scales OF some small fishes --- bleak
and dace, think, the fishes are called.
| 1t takes the scales Of 10000 Of the
| fishes to make two pounds of the So
luton which is called Essence It
| Orient The imitation pearls are
more durable than the real ones. which
| are liable to be injured by persplra-
ton or various other incidents of
wear"
"Reverting to that French paste; are
there many of that sort of diamonds
sold in this countryP'
"A great many. Reputable dealers
| sell them for what they are, and their
price-for fine ones such as thcse--is
sufficiently high to keep them from be-
ing offered as cheap stuff to the masses,
| yet great numbers are worn.
/ "Why do persons of means invest in
bogus gems?'
'.For various reasons. One does
not care to keep locked up in mere or
| nament the large amount of money
that would be required to purchase
diamonds in such size and number as
society might expect him or her TO
have, so few really fine stones are
purchased for habitual wear, TO chal-
lenge criticism, and brilliant array
of French pastes isproFidad for show
upon occasions when big display is
expected and there will be no dan
ger Of close critical inspection. The
few real stones have made Il reputa-
ton, you see, that covers the others.
Another may own plenty Of diamonds
and actually have them in his possess
sion, too. yet be too prudent to expose
them to the danger of loss or theft in
a mixed multitude Aud | know Of
vet another class of French paste
wearers: young men who are in So
ciety, but with scanty means to keep
NJ Il Sembance OF style--'dudes, as
they are popularity styled. Oaa -
those fellows last winter managed u
become engaged to very pretty
girl who has solid expectations, and
actually had ine cheek 10 give her
il French paste engagement ring. tie
knew that a diamond had to be forth
coming unaer the circumstances, but
real one WAS far beyond either his
purse OF hi, eredA, and he imagined
that his.fancee would never know the
difference if ne gave her bogus one.
Aud perhaps she would not but her
sharp old mother, who had An eye like
hawk, suspected it and came to me
for Judgment Nobody could have
told her better than ], for had sold
the young fellow the ring. He wat
dropped SO suddenly and 50 hard that
he has been dizzy ever since
''Has anybody had yet the bri.h'
idea of starting the manufacture OF
French paste diamonds here ns one
Of onlA AmdusrirS?'
mo. The French stand first in il
and the Germans are rather apnor see
ond. hut we are nowhere. The stu
, alton may be different, however. II
the course Of ihc gext four Years"
W. Z