The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-19
VIRTUES IN PRECIOUS STONES.
Some Of the Superstitions in Regard
to the Hare Gems.

Some Vi inc OuDGTSIlblOnB hSSacC
to the Hare Gems.
From Chambers Journal
1t 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 imita-
ted that it Is very difficult for any one but
au expert to distinguish a spurious gem
from a real one
There was q time, however, when these
stones were often priced and worn for other
reasons than their beauty and, therefore,
even the most perfect limitations would in
such cases have been regarded as utterly
valueless. OF course it must be inferred
that our ancestors always wore valuable
gems, for even In those days the poorer
classes had to content themselves with
cheap ornaments when they INDUCED in
finery. But precious stones we're formerly
supposed to possess peculiar virtues, which,
apart from any other considerations, rem
dered them more or less valuable. The re-
puted virtues Of some were of a most mi
aculous nature. and happy indeed the for
tunate possessors of these gems ought to
have been.
Although popularity supposed to be itself
q deadly poison the diamond has from re-
mote ages been credited with the power of
protecting the weerer 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 diamond
several other stones were supposed to pos
sess medicinal virtues. The ruby was con-
sidered good for arrangements of the liver
as we'll as for bad eyes. The sapphire and
emerald were also credited with properties
which rendered them capable of influencing
ophthalmic disorders, and there is a super
stitious belief that serpents are blinded by
locking at the latter stone.
The turquols, although not credited with
either remedial or protective properties SO
far as disease was concerned, was neverthe-
less regarded as a kind of sympathetic indi-
Gator, the intensity Of its color being sup
posed to huctuate with the health of the
wearer. The latter, moreover, by virtue of
the stone which he carried, could, it is said
fall from any hight with impunity. The
Marquis of Villena's fool. however, was
somewhat nearer the truth when he re-
versed the popular superstition in his asser
tion that the wearer of a turquois might
fall from the top of a 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 preju-
dice against wearing one, it was in bygone
days held in The highest estimation, for it
was supposed to combine the virtues OF sew
eTal other gems On the other hand, the
onyx-so named on account OF resemblance
to the color of the tinger-nails-cOuld
scarcely have been a nice stone TO wear,
for. according to medieval superstition, it
rendered one particularly susceptible to an
noyance from nightmares and demons.
Temperance advocates, if they have any
regard for the beliefs of the Greeks and
Romans, might seriously consider the ad
visibility of distributing amethysts among
drunkards, for it was supposed that these
stones prevented intoxication. Coral was
made use Of by the Romans as protection
against the evil eye, and popular superSti-
ton has credited the topaz with the power
OF depriving boiling water of its heat.
Perhaps the most wonderful properties,
however, were ascribed to the chimerical
stones which many creatures were sup
posed to carry in their heads. Most Of our
readers have no doubt heard of the precious
Jewel which the toad carries in his brain
box; and so-called toad stones, which were
IN reality the teeth of fossil fish. were
formerly worn in finger rings as a pro-
lection against poisons, at the presence of
which they were supposed to change
color. 1t was thought the best stones
were those voluntary elected by the
uVlng toads but as the
latter were not addicted to freely giving up
Their treasures in that way, it was neces-
sary to procure the coveted articles by other
means, and the recognized method was TO
oecapltate the hapless batrachian at the
instant he swallowed his breath. The feat
naturally demanded considerable celebrity,
such as could only have been acquired by
constant practice; and it is not uureason-
aole, therefore, to assume that although the
endeavors to gain possession of the jewel
we're perhaps numerous they must invari-
aoly nave been. unsatisfactory, especially TO
tne toads The eagle stone was considered
au excellent thing to wear during preg-
nancy, and the swallow carried in its stom-
aCn stones OF great medicinal value.
Inc Drain of the tortoise was supposed to
oOhtaln wonderful stone, which was effica-
uio9S In extinguishing fire and when placed
;er the tongue would produce prophetic
inspiratlon. Another stone possessing the
~'.er property was to be found in the eye
" .ne hyena. The head of the cat, however,
S as thought TO contain what would un-
oO ,9 have been the most wonderful
ba noSt desirable treasure of all, could it
80 only had real instead of an imsgi-
f~a5 existence, for that man who was so
,ro' .Isaoe as to possess this precious stone
nave all his wishes granted.