Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-02-07
GOSSIP ABOUT GEMS.
How Engrayers Worked IN the OldsB
Time-PrlDesly Jewels.

AthFety JcNSAHs
Stones were engraved In the days Of
Horace. says the Keystone. They were
largely done by hand with diamond
points, like GLACIERS diamonds; tile
deeper and larger parts of the work
were executed with drill. Emery
powder was used, but the wheel and
lathe did not come into use until the
time OF the Byzantine epoch. II has
been conlcctured that the artists, IN |
executing minute work. used lenses.
or more probably, globes filled with
water.
In the time Of Francis l.. Matteo del |
Nassaro Of Vienna cut the crueifixion |
on heieotrope, SO that the red spots
seemed drops of blood issuing from
the wounds Of the Savior Jacomo
da TrezZo (l567) was the first to en-
grave on diamond, though the honor
has been disputed with him. A noted
head Of Nero was engraved on dia-
mond by one Of the Castnnzi in 1880.
The earliest instance of an engraved
gem Is the emerald ring of Polycrates.
TAO b. G. Classic history informs us
| that Helen, Ulysses, and Pythagorus
wore engraved rings. The father of
the latter, Mnesareh0s, was noted en-
grayer Of gems. Orestcs. in the TRACE
dies, was recognized rs the son OF
Agamemnon by the engraved ring
which he wore.
Gems to be used as seals were en-.
grayed at an early age of the world.
A square signet Of yellow jasper en-.
gravel about l450 Is. G. is 10 the pos
session OF the British museum. 1t has
engraved upon il the horses and the
name aud titles of Amenophis III.
HerodOtus informs us that the Ethi-
opians engraved signets. In Jndea
the breast-plate of the high priest was
adorned with twelve precious stones
with the names Of the twelve tribes
engraved upon them. Strange 10 say,
however no Hebrew-engrayed gems
! older than the fifth century are known
tO exist The Baetrians aud the Hin.
docs are the other oriental nations OF
/ antiquity that engraved gems The
Chinese early in their history used
. gems, soapslone. and porcelain foI
seals. with devices in relief.
IN old times the engrayers selected
/ stones that harmonized in colors with
I their designs Bacchanalian subjects
: we're engraved on amethysts. marine
) subjects on bcryls. rural ones on
: green Jasper. warlike ones on carnelians.
a saris, and red jasper, and celestial
e ones on chaleedonies In modern
Q times as high as 81. 900 has been paid
i 10 AN engrnver Of celebrity for one
i cameo.
\ The ancicnts placed an immense
/. value on their gems. In looking M
! the subject lind the following quota
! ,ions The pearl given 10 Seryillia by
Julius Caesar was valued at S24. 600
+" the gems on the scabbard Of Mithri
dates were valued ut $37. SEQ; the valu,
! OF the pearl swallows BY Cleopatra j
10 placed At S25. OoO; the gems worn b,
y ll.nllia pauliua. wife Of Caligula, were
Ct salued al sl 600.000
;. Il is said that the grand duchess o
Of SnXe-Weimar owns the most perfect
81 collection Of jewels in the world. Ih'
AT finest aud largest turquoises and pearl
are among the crown-jcwels OF Russia
and tile finest sapphires known ar
ne among the crown-jowels Of England
Among the crown Jewels Of Bavaria
4, 4 parure Of pink diamonds that woul
te command fabulous sum.
.is Princely gems have been bestowe
" a, ROYAL weddings. The gifts present
y. ri 10 Mile. d'Albe niece Of the e'
Of Empress Eugene, were valued at III
Tie GO. 600. The earl OF Dudley present
a al 10 Miss Moucrieife. while Yet b
s ~ lrothcd TO him. bracelet Of fit
nv precious stones and diamond diadel
zee which was worth 5000 On the
3D. ecdding morning he prese nted b,
q with necklace Of five rows OF pear
ny Of enormous value. Mile. Leieune' q
70. der marriage to the prince Of China,
Of AMONG other Jewels received a necl
ans ace with an outer circle of forty-tW
legs large brilliants. with inner circles ea'
w 81 which contained thirty-seven br
on, liauts, magnificent emerald iormil
TO the medallion. and three superb hr
err liants the pendants. When Muir
i, 70 took refuge In Corsica, after the bait
! n Of Waterloo. he had two damon
Id. worth $40. 600 IN his pockets, while {
diamonds IN his hat-band were wor
go Sis GOO. and those on his cpaulets we
Nntth $I0 600