Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-01-05
supERsTlTloNs ATTACHED TO GEMS.


[Chicago Times-Herald.l
Old as the Jewels themselves, or at
least MS the knowledge of them, are
the superstitions that arc associated
each with Its own particular stone
Would you know the meaning OF your
Christmas gift--You morc serlous-
minded people who have never
thought OF such nonscnee ana prom
ably do not know what the gems you
have chosen imply to the dear, foolish
girl for whom the are intondedY wen
then, first Of ALL the most fashionable
stone of the year, the emerald, Is sup
posed to promote friendship and con-
stancy Of mind. II IL an emblem OF
success and is dedicated to the month
of May. In the zodiac do you care
about thatD II signifies Cancer, ana In
Christian nrt Is dedicated to st. John.
The ruby, next In favor, is firmly be-
lieved by the Burmese 10 rfpen ike
fruit. They Insist that In it's first
crude state the ruby Is utterly color
less; that az 1t gradually mature5 u
turns FIRST yellow, changes slowly into
green, then becomes blue and eventu-
ally assumes n brilliant, glowing red.
its final color upon reaching Its highest
Htngc OF perfection. AS IL belongs to
the month Of December. 1t Is happy
Christmas token, being MS well tho
recognized emblem of an answering,
glorious succcgs.
DIAMONDS MANY QUALITIES.
Diamonds are said to produce som
nRmbulisrn and promote spiritual
eostacy. AS nges have gone on the
spiritual part OF the supposition may
have paled but the ecstacy remains as
ever Diamonds were formerly the
cmblems Of innocence and In Christian
art denote lnvulnernble faith. They
are dedicated to the sun and to the
month of April.
Most meaning of all stones is the
turquoise. II 1t is given with love It
carries with It happiness and good
luck. II the we'll being of the gver IL
in peril the faithful turquoise pales, II
on the other hand the giver proves
faithess the stone turns dark. IL is
an cmblem OF prosperity and Is also
dedicated to December. A cluster
composed of diamonds, loadstones and
sapphires combined Is guaranteed by
the ancient faith to render the wearer
almost invincible and altogether ire
sistible.
Beware OF onyx; imprisoned within
It IL AN Unsuitable devil who wakens
at sunset, causing terror to the wear
err and filling dreams with hideous
despair. Streetcr--the authority of
the century on superstltlons Of prec-
Gus stones-snys cupid with the
sharp point of his arrows cut the nails
of Venus during her sleep, and the
parings falling into the Indus sank to
the bottom and turned into onyx"
Some cynical being without disputlng
the theory of the imprisoned devil
adds that the onyx Is the symbol of
con1ugal love.
GOOD POINTS OF THE AMETHYST
Amethysts drive out the desire for
drink and promote chastity. The Greeks
even thought II could counterfeit the
effects of wine. 1t is embematic of hui
mility and sohriety. 1t was revered in
the superstitlons of ancient religions
and is equally reverenced at present
In the Roman Catholic church where
IL is set IN the pastoral rings of bishops.
Many stones are supposed to have Il
more practical Significance. Amber Is
alleged to be n sure cure for sore
threats and all glandulnr swellings
The reason for this effect is ascribed
to the poeticnl myth. treasured by
singers that amber is the concretion of
birds tears.
around three shall glsten the loyeiiest
amber VI ~ t T1
That ever the Borrowing. sea- bird hath
wept."
The birds that wept amber tears
We're, according to Pliny's Natural His
tory. the sisters of Meeager, who
DEATH"
The topaz prevents hemorrhages.
gives strength,and is favorable to tliges-
tlon. II is emblematic OF fidelity.
The moonstone is supposed to be
favorable to vegetation, causing the
trees to be fruitful; 1t Is also believed
TO cure epilepsy.
The sapphire causes somnambulism
and prompts the wearer to benevolent
works. Christians consider II an emblem
of heavenly faith.
IL Is well known that opnis are fatal
a. ola "a.
gifts i'll luck Is sure to follow. They
are lucky only as October birth stones.
ana, aside from love affairs are pro-
pltious .emblems of good hope.
GARNET's TWIN GIFTS.
The garnet brings with II the twin
gifts OF health and happiness. EN-
blematlc of consistency and truth. II was
me earbuncle of the nncients, who said
that IL ever gave out light in the dark
ness. January is the garnet's month.
By the Cingnieau the cat'a-cye was
held as charm against witchcraft
and Is also believed to be the abode of n
genii
Agates have the good propertv Of
quenching thirst, and, when held in
the mouth, Of allaying foyer. They arc
emblematic of health and longevity.
Crystal is conducive to visions brings
good sleep and charming dreams.
Coral insures the wcarer against
wltcheratt, thunder (the legends say
nothing about It's being a tallsman
against llghtning) and all perils OF Hood
and field. Worn about the person IL
wards on and cures indigestion.
strange as II may seem. supersti-
tions about precious stones have beon
all but merged into religious beliefs
particularly In the legends OF the
pagnns. Whether II be fact or fancy
ST. Francis de Sales. In 1.-THE Dcvont
Life says; IAN kinds or precious
stones dipped In honey become moro
brilliant thereby. each according To its
color, and all persons become more
acceptable when they Join devotion to
their gracos. Household cares are
sweetened thereby. love is more low
ing, and business becomes more pleas
ant"
tntaraetinor Hoo.