The morning call., 1890-12-25
LANGUAGE OF GEMS.
The Sentiment Connected With
Various Precious Stones.

From the most remote period of history
significance has been attached to precious
stones, and they have been supposed to ex-
ert a baneful or blessed influence over the
destinies of the wearers. Among other Gu
riOus old fancies about them is that which
connects one with each month in the year,
and with all who are born in that month.
Thus, to January belongs the garnet and the
jacinth, which preserves the wearer from
pestilence and from lightning. To Febru-
airy belongs the amethyst, signifying temper
ance. 1t protects the wearer from evil
thoughts and cures or prevents inebriety. 1t
makes him dlIgent. and procureS him the
favor OF princes. The stone of March is the
jasper, which cures hemorrhases. when worn
or applied to wound. Those born in April
should wear the sapphire, significant OF
purity. To May belongs the agate, which
protects from poison and appeaSes pain. III
single ii color it renders the wearer invinci-
bic. June has the emerald, significant OF
hope; teaching the knowledge oil secrets, be-
slowing eloQuence and wealth. 1t betray5
Inconsistency by crumblng to pieces when it
cannot avert the evil Achmet Steiram says
that " He who dreams of green gems will
become renowned and meet with truth and
fidelity" The falling of an emerald from
It's setting is an evil omen to the wearer.
When George LII was crowned a large en-
erald fell from the crown. America was lost
to Great Britain during his reign. 70 July
belongs the onyx, which eXcites melan-
choly and vain terror to the wearer,
but fortunately the month also pos
sesses comedian, which cures these
evils and also secures success, particularly
in law suits. To August belongs the sar-
donyx. which brings riches to the wearer.
To September belongs the chrysoite. To
October belongs the beryl or aqua marin,
which renders the wearer successful in nav
lgatIon, and insures safe voyages. Tie opal
also belongs TO this month, stone which
unites the colOrs and qualities of all others,
and has been beautifully called by poet
and artist, "a pearl with a soul in it." Its
meaning is child-like fairness and lowell
ness. November has the topaz, which sig
niles courage and chterfulness. 1t shows
the presence of poison by loss Of color; it
gives light in the dark, and diSpels enchant-
meut II worn on the left arm or around the
neck II also strengthens intellects and
brlghtens wit. Those whose birthday is
In December have the choice between
wear all three. The ruby signifies
passionate love and joy and gives pleasant
dreams, but il shortens the sleep of the
wedrer and disturbS the circulation of the
blood, inclining to anger. The Turquoise is
the noblest OF Opaque stones and signifies
self-sacrifcing love. 1t appeaseS hatred
aud reconciles lovers, and it relieves or pre-
vents headaches. IL also protects the wear-r
by drawing upon itself the evils that
threaten HIM, becoming dark, dull and ap-
parently worthless, but regainng its color
gradually when the danger is past. This
valuable property, however, belongs to it
only when giyen-not when bought Dia-
monds and stars in rhetorical language have
become almost synonymous terms, while the
pearl has been described by Plny as being
nothing more or less than dewdrop swal-
lowed by the oyster.--Jewelers' Review.