Daily Kennebec journal., 1898-09-20

Dut Wn1ch draws SWeetly cOlOred tint
from the double mixture OF brightness
and violet. This is the gem that feels
the influence of the air and sym
pathizes with the heavens, and does
not shine equally II the sky be cloudy
or bright. When put into the mouth ii
is colder than other stones"
For engraving upon it is by no means
adapted, inasmuch as 1t defies grind
ing. 1t is not. however. entirely in
vincib1e, since it is engraved upon and
cut into shape by means of the dia-
mUOnd. For the reason of this hardness
the ancients rarely used the. sapphire
for personal adornment. but notwith-
standing this fact there are some
beautifully engraved specimens still in
existence.
In the cabinet of Strozzi in Rome is
sapphire, masterpiece of art, with
the profile of Hercules engraved on it
by Cucirs. "A remarkable and famous
sapphire belonging to the Marchese
Rinuccini. Weighing SO carats, has a
representation of hunting scene en-
graved upon it, with the inscription.
"Constantius Aug" Among a number
OF old family jewels was recently found
sapphire beautifully engraved with
the crest and arms of Cardinal Wolsey.
Pale sapphires may be rendered
colorless by exposure to intense heat:
they thus also acquire great bril1iancy
and are sometimes passed off as dia-
monds.
There are several intaglii engraved
on these white sapphires that were at
one time believed to be diamonds. The
sapphire, like the ruby. was formerly
considered to be an antidote to poison
and preservative against infection.
Dioscorides says that the sapphire in
closed in box with spider kills her
suddenly, such is its power over her
poison"
Sapphires were originally obtained
from Arabia and Persia, and there are
some mines in Siam, but most of the
stones from this locality are too dark
in color. The finest gems are found at
| Rakewana, in Ceylon second quality
stones principally at Ratnapura and
inferior stones at Satawaka
Sapphires have also been found in
India, in Europe, on the Iser noun
tains. in Bohemia, and in North
America. where they occur as six
sided prisms and are associated with
granular limestone. But these stones
| of Europe and America are of no COM
mercial Importance.
The value of these gems is. much
determined by special circumstances.
and, like the diamond, the color. purity
and size must be taken into considera-
tion when fixing, the sum to be paid.
Sapphires do not necessarily, like the
ruby, rise in price as they increase in
size.
Among the celebrated sapphires is
that which was seen by the ,Engldsh
ambassador who was sent to Ava L.
was said to be 951 carats in weight. of
beautiful blue and without a flaw
There is another of fine color in the
| collection of minerals at the Jarlin des
Plantes, in Paris, weighing nearly 1874
| carats, without a spot or flaw. This
stone was originally found in Bengal
by poor man: it subsequently came
into the possession of a member of the
house OF Raspoli. in Rome, who in
turn left it to a German prince. who
sold it TO German prince, who sold it
to French jewel merchant for G6S00
Two celebrated chemists of Paris
have succeeded of late years in prepar-
ing artificial sapphires resembling the
true gems in their physical characters
as well as in chemical composition.
They, nevertheless lack the play OF
color and brilliancy of the real stones.
Edison, too, has been successful in
producing artificial sapphres as chem
ically perfect as the real gems, but
colorless. However. they fully answer
the purpose for all practical use in his
electrical appliances, where they are
necessary as contact points,
Oriental mdneralogy is at present an
obscure subject. but the translations
of Raja Kalikishen from the Persian
and Indian works of ancient date, as
reported to the Asiatic Society, are
throwing light on this fascinating sub
ject. The medicinal qualities at
tributed 10 the sapphire by the an
clients are remarkable. 1T purifies the
blood. strengthens, quenches thirst.
dispels melancholy reflection, and, as
talfsman. averts danger. insures
honor and competence
According to the birthday lore of this
month, it is said that the boy born in
September is strong and prudent"
and the prediction for the girl whose
natal day entities her to wear the sap
phire is that she is discreet, affable
=