The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-10
A THtR Sly GEM.
When the Opal crows Dull and Dim
Little Water VIII Restore 1t.
From the London Queen

When the Opal Grows Dull and Dim
Little Water VIII Restore 1t.
From the London Queen.
Unlike the other "noble" gems, the opal
is not crystal. "Unceaveable quartz" it
is called by those who know the proper
nomenclature of things meteorological, and
its composition varies from SO. IS to $3.50 Of
pure silica. What ca uses the wonderful
play of color and iridescent loneliness
which gives this beautiful gem its value is
still not quite determined. Some say the
play comes from water VIII ich is inside the
stone. some from films of air others again
from assures and cracks, and no one really
knows Anyway, it is a Thirsty stone, !"
and when it grows a little dull and dim CA
be brought back to its full beauty by let
ting 1t drink.
There are several varieties of opal, and
therefore several degrees Of merit. The
precious, or noble, or oriental opal Is the
supreme. This has all the oolors, and when
these colors are broken into spangles it is
then called the harlequin opal. Then comes
the fire opal or girasoi, with hyacinth red
and yellow reflections. The former comes
from Hungary, the latter from Mexico.
The common or semi-opals are non-opales-
cent. The hydrophane or oculis mupdi is
non-trausparent, but becomes Sd by im-
mersion In water or any transparent fluid.
The cachalong ia nearly opaque, and OF a
BLUSH white color. Ths hyalite Is colorless,
pellucid and white. The opal jasper or
wood opal is the petrifaction of wood,
opalescent, but without the c0loring which
makes the noble" gem 30 precious
The ancients priced the opal as they
priced diamonds and pearls and the story
OF the Senator Nonius is we'll known-how
he went into exile rather than part with his
beautiful opal, valued, according 20 two
different authorities consulted, at $4,000
or 100000. There is the same discrepancy
among these writer's of books of reference
as to the Caesar" who required this sturdy
veteran to give up his jewel. The render
may make his choice among these-Marc
Antony, Augustus NJ Antsninus. 1t is to be
wondered whether that opal was as fine as,
or superior to, the Great Mountain Of Light,
that Hungarian opal which the older among
Us can remember in the great exhibition OF
Isl, which was estimated as worth $4,000,
but which was inferior to one kept at vi
emma, and not sent over to become the mar
vel of millions-an opal weighing seventeen
ounces, and for which merchant in Am
sterdam offered 100000 horins-and was
refused. Now 500, 900 forms sums up about
100000.
Those thin slabs of stQpe Southampton
emit, which looked red when held against the
light, are opals Of kind; but they are not
priced as jewels, and are kept in cabinets as
ouriosities.
All sorts of superstitlons have gathered
round the opal, and TO this day f. is consid-
cred an unlucky stone. Woe to the bride
expectant who receives this stone as her Gu
gagement ring She might as well have a
ian OF peacock's feathers presented to her.
And these feathers, we all know bring dis
aster and misfortune about the house where
they are harbored, as certain as bacteria
and bacili bring disease. But formerly,
when precious stones had their functions
more precisely formulated than now, this
lovely gem was said TO "recreate the heart;
TO be preservative against poison aud ae-
rial contagion; 20 Danish sor-
row, prevent Paintings and TO
cure the heartache and evil
affections" There are also black oprals,
which are very rare. They come from
Egypt, and have the glow OF the ruby
seen through q vspor. like coal ignited at
the end" The opal is exceedingly soft and
requires the greatest care 10 manipulating.
IL hardens and also diminishes In size when
exposed to the air; but at all tunes 10 has to
be treated with Tenderness and care, else il
viii lose in luster and value. and perhaps
polish OF surface. As II stands. IL Is one OF
the loveliest OF all stones-with the purity
OF pearl and tho luster Of a diamond. IL
goes best With diamonds. Indeed, no other
stone matches 10 harmoniously. But dia-
monds aud opals together look as II they
we're two presentations Of tue same original
idea--the one transparent and the other
ODaQuo and mereiV fragsiueaut