The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-07

There is at present quite a craze for
charms wrought in sold. precious stones
and enamels. and every wise jeweler is
busy doing his best to bring out some
thing completely new. y recent achieve
/ ment is perfectly delightful Jack in
the box" exquisitely modelled IN gold
and made to shut up and open exactly
like the toys that children favor. hair
fearful of their witchery, half inthrall-
ed. At a touch Of the spring in the lit
tie gold box the lid jumps up and from
the inside springs a tiny Jack. ablaze
with colored gems.
Dutch dolls have provided many Jew
elers with the means OF exhibiting their
workmen's skill. About as long as a
thumb nail these rather hideous little
golliwogs are jointed and enameled in
precise miniature OF the wooden proto-
types OF the nursery. One famous firm
is making a speciality Of cum links
which may well be called the farmyard
series. on one side is seen tiny duck
on the other bunch OF vegetables. such
as lettuce. asparagus or tomatoes. col
ored to the life. Trinkets like these may
well bring n smile TO the faces OF staid
the point OF view Of half a century ago.
when every ornament was really
heavy and elaborate piece OF workman
ship and baubles OF this kind were sim
ply made OF base metal instead OF the
exquisite gold and enamel used now.
Then fallaIs % the sort hailed from
Paris, and no self respecting woman
thought Of wearing them-false gew-
generically termed.
People are prone 20 talk Of the good
old days when jewelry was really add
mrable. placing all stones below the
value OF the diamond. sapphire. emer-
aid. ruby and turquoise as minor gems.
indeed admitting the turquoise into the
charmed circle Of their approval merely
because 40 or so years ago that stone
enjoyed a vogue almost as pronounced
as the one It has gained again during
the past FIVE. Garnets. moonstones.
opals because they were considered I'M
lucky and the topaz they contemplated
with indifference. II was thought. in
deed. that only second rate people. who
did not possess diamonds. sapphires.
emeralds and rubies. would condeseend
10 wear the lesser gems.
more catholic in our tastes. Moreover.
we are aware that the trlnkets Of today
are in their way splendid evidences Of
the goidsmlth's craft. There must be an
artist 10 design those lifelike ducks and
eolliwoCs, a modeler who understands
the anatomy Of birds and beasts and
dolls 20 put them into shape and
craftsman Of consummate skill 10 touch
in with the necessary dellcaCy all the
PARTS that require enamel. Think % q
drake for instance. and the multitude
nous tints that must 50 10 embellish its
head and necki
There never was Gay when tewelry
was made 20 play more occult part,
mingled with n decorative one than
now. A fiance gives his beloved a per
fectIy modelled little Cupid. worked IN
gold. 70 dangle as a mascot from the
porte bonheur size wears upon her let
wrist. Pigs are hugely favored. and
black cats with topaz eyes are held 10
convey mysterious good fortune What
with birthday gems. lucky month Jew
els and such possessions as mystic
Jumps OF uncut jade coral and amber.
women present very barbaric appear
ance. or would II the exquisite taste -
the modern 5eweier did not secure %
these baubles an inhnity Of grace and
elegance.
Every are has SIS particular Tine"
and that line Is catered 20 by the Jewell
ers. At present We are distinctly SUI
perstitious and more than A littla-ehild-
ish. which accounts for the luck bsu-
bles'' and what may well be called the
menageries Above all. We DO love
pretty things" and these things that
the jewelers. show are distinctly very
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