Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-01-29
Concerning Rubies.

ruptedgly for months. Many people
unhesitatingly give TO the diamond
the first place among gems. Ii Is the
hardest known substance in the
world, and the brilliancy OF a first
water stone when accurately cut Is
something wonderful. The value OF a
good-sized diamond, however, can
not approach that OF ruby OF a
similar size which has the true pigeon
blood" color. 0ff-color rabies, that
is. stones of lighter or darker tint
than the regulation shade, OF a carat
or less in weight, are cheaper in price
than diamonds corresponding in size.
But the discovery OF large rubies
having the dark carmine tint, which
is looked upon as the sine qua non OF
the true ruby, is so rare that the value
of these gems increases in far greater
proportion than that of the diamond.
Rubies weighing more than four
carats are found so infrequently that
a perfect one OF five carats will COM
maud ten time as high sum rs a
diamond OF the same weight.
All over the east from the earliest
times the ruby has been considered
the most valuable OF stones. lt has
been the exclusive property OF kings
aud its record has been handed down
the ages. Ii was one OF the jewels
which adorned the breastpIate OF the
high priest in the TIM Of Aaron, 1900
b. c. King Solomon uses il as n
ST III in the Song, 1000 b. c. One OF
the oldest traditions among the
Chinese is that the ruby grows in the
ground like flower, beginning pale
yellow color, and being in full blossom
when il turns 70 its glowing crimson.
The finest specimens OF this gem are
found in Burmah, where, from time
immemorial. IL has been n law that
all stones above certain size must
revert to the ere cwn, no matter who
may have beer the fortunate finder.
This law has undoubtedly caused the
destruction OF many magnificent
specimens, as the discovery OF a large
stone. and the consequent risk OF FOR
feiture would lead TO its being broken
in fragments. This would naturally
divide it into several stones, each
much less in value than the stone
they originally formed, but still In
dividual property. Ii is thought
that today there are concealed In
Burmah, among rhe treasures which
were hidden during the British iD-
vasion, rubies OF far greater size and
value than any the world has yet
seen.
True rubies are found in compara-
lively few parts OF the world besides
Burmah. She seems TO be the mother
earth. Some are found in Madras, ia
Mysore and in Ceylon. though the
Ceylen stones are generally off-color.
Goudamak. in AfghaDistan. produces
rubies, but OF the almost worthless
kind. called spiDels ln some parts
OF the United States they have been
found Of the finest color. but in very
small quantities, and a few good
ones come from Australia; but as a
J., le they are small aud inferior In
color.
Rubies have always been royal
stones and have been considered the
most valuable OF all the jewels pos
sessed by kings. Some OF the stones
celebrated in history have proved.
however, not 10 be rubies at all, but
merely spinels. The great ruby In
the Maltese Cross, which occupies
the front OF Britain's imperial crown,
is OF this character, and owes its value
only to the historic associations which
surroundit. This jewel was presented
10 the Black Prince after the victory
OF Najera IN 1867, by Pedao the Cruel,
King Of CASTLE. and afterwards worn
and nearly lost by Henry V. at the
battle OF Agincourt.
Marco Polo, the celebrated Vene-
tian merchant and traveller, brought
back with him to Europe the story OF
a ruby a span long. as thick as a
mans hand, and without a flaw, be-
longing to the King Of Ceylon. and in
exchange for which Kubla Khan Of
fered province OF his empire.
The largest ruby known 10 present
times came from China and belongs
TO the Russian crown Jewels. Ii II as
large as pigeons egg, and was pre-
senfed to the Empress OF Russia by
Gustsvns III. OF SWEDEN, during his
visit 10 st. Petersburg. The finest
ruby which was ever offered for sale
in London. reached there la 1875. Ii
vas drop-shaped. aud weighed forty
seven carats. No opein England WAS
willing 10 pay the price asked for IT,.
and II wa finally sold somewhere ON
the continent OF Europe for 10000.
One very strange fact Is that the
ruby and the sapphire are absolutely
Identical in every respect except
color. They are varieties OF crystal
lied aluminium. known as eoruDdnm,
crystals Of which. as a rule, lack
transparency, hut when clear aud
bright-coIored produce some OF our
most valuable gems
The ruby has always been a fayorite
love token, and Is found in many old
betrothal rings. Ii IL supposed TO
have the power Of driving away bad
dreams. 10 make the wearer forget all
evil, eIprI sadness and evil spirits,
and keep you ia good health. Then,
IL Is said. TO bring bIersiDg from
h-ayen TO the young wife and never