The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-07

Curious Ceyion Gem That Is Now Pa.b,..
abie-How and where IL IL Pound


This curious gem is second only 70 thsA.
mond in the estimation Of the Hindo,.
they dovotedly believe that each stone i. Il,
hsbited by some good spirit or fanilia, =.
mon, and that the possession Of fine -
men confers upon It's owner exemption -
| the "chill OF poverty" IL is, moreover c,e5I
tied with being the guardian Of is owne,'-
wealth which IL constantly on the inors..ss
| 50 long as he retains possession Of the 80
but. should no be induced 10 sell or barte, I,
away, malignant fate will pursue him 80.
after. Nor can We feelsurprised that a poo,i.
SO imaginative and superstitious AZ the H.
docs should regard this peculiar stone 49,
its shifting light and mysterious g.ean.n,
with q mixture OF wonder and awe. A wr,,e..
in Once-a- Week states that the Moor. anI,l'
inhabitants of Malabar from the remo,o.s
times. have held this stone in the highes ys,
Grafton, and in common with most Pasta,
nations have worn IS as an amulet sure IN !,
cure riches 10 the fortunate pOssessOr. nj.
finest are found in Ceylon, the Singhalesa io-,
OF their veneratOn for the monkey oftencar,
ing these stones 10 resemble a mOnkey's.f,oa
taking advantage Of the varying lights Ana
colors of the stone 20 secure a grotesque hks'
ness 10 the original. This stone is also found
in the Hartz mountains in Bavaria, aud n
parts of the United States and X supposed by
some 90 be a species Of sillcidsd wood Iba
cats-eye is sometimes cOnfounded by ana
tours with certain beautiful iridized agatss
which come from Arabia and Persia ani
strongly resemble IT. but the cOlors OF Tie
agates are generally brighter. and viii bear
no comparison. on close inspection. with tia
real thing" either in regard 20 beauty y
value The cats eye il OF various color,
ranging from light yellow through all sna1es
of brown. and from an apple-green 70 tia
deepest olive. Occasionally they are found
nearly black. The value OF this stone * deter.
mined according 70 the brilllancy Of the line
which should run evenly across tho middle f
the stone. narrow. but sharply defined ths
price ranging from $50 TO $500. There are
however, large and exceptionally fine speci.
mems that have fetched IS much a. 5000.
These valuable cats eyes are known among
lapldarles % chrysoberyl. 10 distinguish thom
from nm inferior quartz variety that can DO
purchased readily for a few dollars This
stone is always cut in convex form, and Of -
long oval which enhances not only its beauty.
by combining the Opsescent stresk of lie
% the centre. but adds materially -
lts resemblance 10 tho living eye OF
the cat from which II derives ts
name This gem is rarely found IN pieces
larger than hazel-uut. although IN the Mari
borough collection there isa superior speci-
men. ono and a half inches high. carved into
the form of a lions head. tho artist having
skilfuliy syailed himself Of the varied shades
of light and color alternating with every
movement impaired by the holder, and giving
10 il an appearance OF life and reality which
has a most weird effect upon the spectator
Another magnificent specimen IL IN the South
Kensington Museum. ard Was once the prop
ertv Of the King OF Handy (Ceylon). This =
said % be tho largest known. Tho cat'seye
is a great faYorite amongst the "curled dar..
ings' of the English Upper Ten. and IS gener.
ally worn surrounded by small brllanu.
either as a ring. stud or scsrf-pin.