The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14
THE FREAKS OF FASHION
THE CHANGEABLE DAME SAYS THE
TURQUOISE Is THE PROPER GEM.
big stores VIII Have Artists to De-
sign Costumes-Common sense
Clothing Becomes stylish.

Swinging Gown the prOmenadeS nand IN
hand 1t is long years since anything of
this sort has come to pass. and matron
and maid are filed with rejoicing that the
unexpected has really happened. Strangely
enough, it is one Of the most modest OF
precious stones that has brought the truth
TO light. and the turquoise promises to be
hereafter a blessed memory. although ever
present. The jewellers will tell those who in
ouire that the turquoise is the coming gem.
Whoever cares to saunter about the hSunts
OF fashion will see for himself that the
gem is not coming but here. It's advance
In favor has been as rapid as il was I'M
looked for In fact, the turquoise has been
in the background for some time, and all
have thought it impoIitic to wear even the
most charming specimens of the milky blue
stone unless everybody knew that they had
plenty Of money. Otherwise they would
either be placed in the list OF the poverty
stricken or the category of those who. not
knowing what to wear. make guess and
trust 10 good fortune that they may be
right.
There are those who go so far as TO say
that the sounding Of the popularity Of the
turquoise is really the death knell of the
diamond disguised Long months ago the
opal gained such prominence that there
were plenty of predictions 20 the effect
that. at last. despite the terrors of super
stition. the diamond had found a genuine
rival. And now comes the turquoise 10
clinch the argument as IL were. and change
the whole trend of the market for precious
stones.
Therefore IL is that the between seasons
talk is largely devoted TO gems, OF course.
all are wondering what they are going to
wear next spring. Deep down in their
hearts tGat is the principal thing they are
thinking about. 1t is not the way of
woman. however TO talk of what most in
terests her, so the conversation turns to
the turquoise and its beauties. Very beauti-
full they are when properly set. surrounded
with brilliants. Small wonder that their
beauty has at last won the recognition to
which IL was long ago entitled. 1t seems
very queer to think of turquoise being
made the principal feature OF the fashion
able jewelry this season. diamonds taking
second place. but that is exactly what is
going TO happen. Not only that, but that
deliciously unlucky stone the opal. will
have TO keep a sharp eye TO the fore, or its
popularity is likely to wane. 1t seems TO
be the case that every precious stone, like
the dog. has its day. This is certainly the
period Of time allotted to the turquoise.
IT is SEEN EVERYWHERE.
As always is the case whenever a gem
achieves the prominence which popularity
gives. it is TO be seen in all sorts of arti-
cles that are beautifed with jewels. The
pretty bonbon box. the card receiver highly
ornamented. the casket wherein the tur-
quoises rivals repose. glove boxes. pocket
books. and-fI.' the ladies' also. cigarette
cases. are ornamented with the stone that
makes you think of that Italian sky that
Byron tells US is more beautiful than all
else. Just incidentally, too there is no
harm in stating that the turquoise is said 10
inspire one to poetry. and as spring is at
hand, it may be that this conduces not
little to its popularity. There is a deadly
fear in the hearts of some that amateur
poetry may also become fashionable, and
that would be unspeakably dreadful
All these things are true about the tur-
quoise. and there are ever so many other
pleasant remarks to make about this new
candidate for fashionable favor. In the
fairest flower. however, one may find
worm. and therefore if you intend TO pur-
chase a turquoise. it is we'll TO bear in mind
the following facts: There are two distinct
varieties OF the gem, Egyptian and Persian.
and there is as much difference between
them as separates a London fog and Col
orado spring day. when its comes TO a ques-
ton of value. The Egyptian turquoise is
much like unto the blossom of a day 1t is
of great beauty and instantly charms the
eye, but il cannot hold its color. In fact
TO give the original color three months life
Is exceedingly liberal The stone either be-
comes entirely colorless. or else is trans
formed to a disagreeabIe green. and It's
value becomes nil Furthermore, it cannot
be washed at any time without running IT,
The Persian turquoise is as reliable as the
sun. 1t is hard and light will not penetrate
It. Water does not injure it. and as the
merchants says of all their goods of color
the color Is fast and will not change for
years. Naturally. they are far more ex-
pensive than the Egyptian stones. and this
<act makes IL necessary for the buyer to
see that she does not suffer from the greed
mess OF the jeweler. 1t takes an expert to
distinguish the difference between the
stones. and. unfortunately. the most OF US
are not experts. What we want Is 10 be
fashionable. We might just as well con-
fess IL. as II is the absolute truth, and
there is no denying it. Let us by all means
obey the dictates of our common mistress
Dame Fashion. and wear the turquoise:
but. incidentally. don't forget to keep an
eye on the ltNcltF.
DESIGNER OF COSTUMES
Several OF the large dress shaking estab-
lishments in New York are discussing the
idea of having an artist TO design costumes
for those who are willing TO pay for the
genius thus devoted 10 their personal adorn-
ment. This is, in reality but an improve
ment upon the idest of Worth, the greatest
OF all milliners, whose unwearied effort was
TO make picture of each costume some
thing different-entirely differentiation any
costume that was worn by anyone else
What delightful thing it would be to go
to dressmaker and have "A young man
who in every detail showed himself TO be a
true artist look US over in that pensive
manner so dear 10 the heart and so crafty
ing TO the vanity. Then how pleasant when
the artist has thoroughly acquired a cor
rect idea OF our various charms and alas,
our defects as well. 10 feel that we will
have a costume that will. at least. largely
conceal the latter. while IL is sure 10 en-
nance the former.
Worth used 10 say that the lay figure was
his greatest aid. because with his best GUS
toners he would have for each figure
that would be. far as the dressmalIer
considered, an exact reproduction OF the
customer Every one has Deaclllia ritv Of