The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-07-04
Precious Stones.
From Chambers Journal.


From Chambers Journal.
II is not merely on account of their
beauty and great rarity that precious stones
have from remote ages been held in the
highest favor, although, no doubt, these
alone are the reasons that have weight with
us at the present day Imitation gems are
almost as pleasing to many people as the
genuine ones; and when they are worn
simply for personal adornment, their COM
parative cheapness is certainly an advan-
tage to those of slender means. Moreover,
precious stones are often so cleverly imi-
tated that it is very difficult for any one
but an expert to distinguish a spurious
gem from a real one.
There was time, however, when these
stones were often priced and worn for
other reasons than their beauty; and there
fore, even the most perfect limitations
would in such cases have been regarded as
valueless. OF course it must not be in.
ferred that our ancestors always wore val
liable gems, for even in those days the
poorer classes had to content themselves
with cheap ornaments when they indulged
in inery. But precious stones were form
erly supposed to possess peculiar virtues,
which, apart from any other considerations,
rendered them more or less valuable. The
reputed virtues of some were of a most
miraculous nature, and happy indeed the
fortunate possessors of these gems ought
to have been.
Although popularity supposed to be itself
deadly poison, the diamond has from re-
mote ages been credited with the power of
protecting the wearer from the evil effects
of other poisons, reputation which it re-
tanned until comparatively recent times.
According to Pliny it also keeps off in
sanity. Amber, too, was supposed to pos
sess the latter virtue. Besides the dia-
mOnd, several other stones were supposed
to possess medicinal virtues. The ruby
was considered good for arrangements of
the liver as well as for bad eyes. The
sapphire and emerald were also credited
with properties which rendered them cap
able of influencing ophthalmic disorders,
and there is a superstitiOus belief that ser
pents are blinded by looking at the latter
stone.
The turquois, although not credited with
either remedial or protective properties so
far as disease was concerned, was never
theless regarded as kind of sympathetic
indicator, the intensity of its color being
supposed to Auctuate with the health of
the wearer The latter, moreover, by vir-
tue of the stone which he carried, could,
it was said, fall from any height with
impunity. The Marquis of Villena's fool,
however, was somewhat nearer the truth
when he reversed the popular superstition
in his assertion that the wearer of tur-
quois might fall from the top of high
tower and be dashed to pieces without
breaking the stone.
The opal was looked upon as thunder
stone, and although many women now ap-
pear to have strong superstitious preiu-
dice against wearing one, it was in bygone
days held in the highest estimation, for it
was supposed to combine the virtues OF
several other gems. On the other hand
the onyx-so named on account of its
resemblance to the color Of the finger
nais-could scarcely have been a nice stone
to wear, for, according to the medieval
superstition, it rendered one particularly
susceptible to annoyance from Nightmares
and demons
The Greeks and Romans believed the
amethyst would prevent intoxication. Coral
was made use Of by the Romans as pro.
lection against the evil eye, and popular
superstition has credited the topaz with
the power of depriving boiling water Of its
heat.
Perhaps the most wonderful properties,
however, were ascribed to the chimercial
stones which many creatures were supposed
to carry in their heads Most of our read
ers have no doubt heard of the precious
Jewel which the toad carries in his brain
box; and so-ealled load-stones, while in
reality the teeth of fossil fish were formerly
worn in finger rings as protection against
poisons, at the presence OF which they were
supposed to change color. 1t was thought
that the best stones were those voluntarily
elected by the living toads; but as the lat
ter were not addicted to freely giving up
their treasures in that way it was necessary
, to procure the coveted articles by other
means, and the recognized method was to
deeapitate the hapless batrachian at the
instant he swallowed his breath. The feat
naturally demanded considerable celerity
such as could only have been acquired by
constant practice, and it is not unreasona
t BILE, therefore, to assume that although the
endeavors to gain possession of the jewe
, were perhaps numerous, they must inva
riably have been unsatisfactory, especially
to the toads. The eagle-stone was consid
, cred an excellent thing to wear during
/ certain periods, and the swallow carried ii
its stomach stones of great medicinal value
1 The brain of the tortoise was supposed
to contain wonderful stone, which wa.
e efficacious in extinguishing fire, and wher
placed under the tongue would pToduc'
3 prophetic inspiration. Another stone pos
sessing the latter property was to be founC
t in the eye Of the hyena. The head of th'
, cat, however, was thought to contain wha
would undoubtedly have been the mos
wonderful and most desirable treasure o
S all, could it have only had a real instead o
an imaginary existence, for that man VIII,
: was so fortunate as to possess this preciou
stone would have all his wishes granted.
Don't You Think SOP
Any man can take home paper. 1t i