The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-15
GEMS MADE LOVELIER.
How Jewellers Paint and Join
Broken Jewels.
From the Boston Herald.

From the Boston Herald.
1t seems truly, like painting the lily
and gliding refined gold to attempt to en-
bellish and increase the delicacy and beau
ty of the precious stones-diamonds. ru-
bies, emeralds and sapphires-which have
taken nature centuries of labor to perfect
in their pristine charm. So fastidious.
however, has man become that he is no
longer satisfied with the delicate shades
and hues in the gems of natures own max
ing, and he must improve upon them and
adapt them to prevailing tastes and fash
ions.
A process frequently used to improve the
appearance of precious stones that are
faulty, dun or of an ordinary hue, is that
of burning. Blemishes are removed by
this process, or the color and brilliancy of
the stone are enhanced. Very often the
color of the gem is entirely changed.
Even the delicate turquoise must occa-
sionally resign itself to artificial embel-
lishnient. Many sensitive turquoises be
come bleached ana faded from exposure
to the sunlight. Ammonia and fatty sub
stances arc applied to restore the original
blue color; but such treatment does not
accomplish lasting results. BY another
process the faded turquoise is impregnat-
ed with Prussian blue. The pigment does
may easily be scraped off with a knife
Such artificial colorng is easily discern
ible by lamplight, which transforms the
delicate shade into an unsighty gray.
Artificial methods are adopted also to
render gems colorless. The yellow tinge
of Cape diamonds obscures their luster
and cheapens their value. Il is therefore
found profitable to deprive them of the OBJ
jectionable tint and the method is very
simple. The yellow diamond is placed in
violet cOlored chemical liquid and after
being dried, is found covered with a very
thin scale of the violet substance
Highly ingenious and deceptive Is the
art of joining precious stones. Upper and
under layers are frequently fastened with
mastic in this fashion and so cleverly as
TO deceive even the experienced eye.
Joined stones are quite common, for the
significant reason that a large solitaire
diamond or other gem is far more costly
than two smaller ones
The art of doubling" is. carried to the
extent of making false dOublets, which
are naturally manufactured at slight cost
when inferior stones or imitation ones are
used. Some doublcts are composed of an
upper portion of colorless glass or noun
tain crystal and an under portion of col
| ored glass. The latter imparts it's hue to
| the former The effect is also obtained
| by placing a layer of coloring matter be-
! tween two colorless portions, or using q
! bit OF lear metal or uuted Selaune. There
! are also hollow doublets. pieces of crys-
| tai or glass in which are sealed drops of
! colored liquid
! Many sharp practices are in vogue
! among jewelers. in the mounting of stones.
| Where the setting is not an. open one and
| the gem rests in a solid bit of metal OPP
| portunity Is given for many shrewd de-
vices to enhance the appearance Of the
| jewel, conceal its flaws and increase its
| brilliance. A pigment composed of burnt
| ivory and mastic is commonly applied to
/ the surface of the metal setting where it
| Is found necessary to conceal the presence
! of dark and unsightly spots in precious
| stones The black pigment is placed be-
| meath those portions of the stone that are
! free from the dark flaws.
! Even more frequently thin bits of gold.
| silver, copper or zinc foil, retaining their
original color are laid beneath the gems,
rendering them more brilliant and improv-
! ing their color