The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-14
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BY far the oldest feature of the sea-
son is the fact that fashion and econ
omy are swinging down the prone
nades hand 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 jewelers. will tell those who in
quire that the turquoise is the COM
ing gem. Whoever cares to saunter
about the haunts of fashion will see for
himself that the gem is not coming,
but here. Its advance in favor has
been as rapid as it was unlocked for
In fact, the turquoise has been in the
background for some time, and we have
all thought it impOlitic to wear even
the most charming specimens of the
milky blue stone, unless everybody
knew that we had plenty of money.
Otherwise we would either be placed
in the list of the poverty-stricken,
or the category of those who, not know
ing what to wear, make a guess and
trust to 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
kneIl Of the diamond disguised. Long
months ago the opal gained such prom
inence that there were plenty of pre-
dictiOns to the effect that at last, despite
the terrors Of superstition, the diamond
had found a genuine rival. And now
comes he turquoise to clinch the argu-
ment, as it were. and change the whole
trend of the market for precious stones.
Therefore, it is that the between sea-
sons talk is largely devoted to gems.
OF course, we are all wondering what
we are going to wear next spring. Deep
down in our hearts that is the principal
thing that we are thinking about. 1t
is not the way of woman, however, to
talk of what most interests her, so the
conversation turns to the turquoise and
its beauties. Very beautiful they are
when properly set, surrounded with
brilliants. Small wonder that their
beauty has at last won the recognition
1t seems very queer to think Of a
turquoise being made the principal fea-
ture Of the fashionable jewelry this
season, diamonds taking second place,
but that is exactly what is going to
happen. Not only that, but that de-
liciOusly unlucky stone, the opal, will
have to keep a sharp eye to the fore,
or its popularity is likely to wane. It
seems to be the case that every pre-
cious stone, like the dog, has its day
This is certainly the period Of time
allotted to the turquoise.
AS always IS the case whenever q
gem achieves the prominence which
popularity gives, it is to be seen in all
sorts OF articles that are beautified with
Jewels. The pretty bonbon box, the
card receiver highly ornamented, the
casket wherein the turquoise's rivals
repose, glove boxes, pocket books. and
for 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 to inspire one to
poetry, and as spring is at hand it
may be that this cOnduces not a little
to its popularity. There is a deadly
fear IN the hearts of some of us that
fashionable, and that would be I'M
speakably dreadful.
All these things are true about the
turquoise and there are ever so many
other pleasant remarks to make about