New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-04
consequently was dedicated


'Alai"' The sapphire consequently was dedicated
TO Apollo
The astoria. or star-stone variety Of sapphire
comes from Ceylon. This stone exhibits radiated
Interior and when subjected 10 a strong Hight
whichever way Z, may be turned. the beholder sees
a star composed OF six delicate white rays. How
ever great the beauty OF this no doubt IT. in
tercst and value are enhanced by the exalted char
acter Of the comparison with which 1t is assoc
clated In the Bible. Hebrew traditions say that
the tablets OF Moses were 4 sapphir" In Hebrew
the word "sappr" means THE most beautifui and
symboIIzes loyalty, justice, beauty and nobility
The sapphire was once the most powerful aid
To- the necromanc"r the holy stone. as Il was then
called being an .mhl IN OF chastity, and securing
the granting Of all prayers II became the episco-
pal stone by decree OF Innocent Ill in the twelfth
century. but In modern days 1t met with a sad
rcyorsiou OF fate AID is no longer considered a
lucky stone.
The most comprehensive description Of the sap
pAirc MAS given 10y Sollnus as follows. 1t Is Of
shining blue color and stone OF great price, II II
be found without Flemish. for IL Is extremely subject
to defects The hes; color OF the stone is an
cquabe one. neither dull,d by too deep dye nor
too clear. with excessive transparency. but which
draws a sweetly ,oored tint from the double MKT
urc Of brightness and violet. This is the gem that
feels the influence Of the air and sympathizes with
tho heavens. and hoes not shine equally II the sky
he cloudy or bright When put into the mouth IT
IL colder than other stones
For engraving upon it is by means adapted.
lnasmuch IL dciics grinding. 1t is not however.
entirely invincibe. since it is engraved upon and
cut into shape by means of the diamond. For
the reason OF this hardness the ancien,s rarely
used the sapphire cor personal adornmont but not
outstanding this lact tlere are some beautifully
engraved specimens stll in existence.
OLD FAMILY JEWELS.
In the cabinet OF Srozzl in Rome is a sapphire. a
masterpiece OF art. with the profile OF Hercules
graved Il by Cucins. \ remarkable and famous
sapphire belonging 10 the Marchese Rinuccini
weighing ify-three cara,s. has representation OF
a hunting scene engraved upon IT, with the in
scription. "Constnntius Aug" Among number OF
old family Jewels WAS recently found sapphire
beautifully ensrhNed with the crest ana arms OF
Pa,c sapphircs may be rendered colorless by ex-
brilliancy and are sometimes passed on as da-
monds.
sapphires that were AT one time believed TO be dia-
monls. The sapphire, Ike the ruby, was formerly
considered to be- an antidote 10 poison and a pre-
servative against Infection. Dioscorides says that
the sapphire incloscl in a box with spider kills
her suddenly such Is It's power over her poison.
Sapphlres were originally obtained from Arabia
and Persia. and there are some mines in Slam. but
in color The finest gems are found AT Rakewana.
in Ceylon; second quality stones principally at
Sapphires have also been found in India, In
Europe. on the lser Mountains IN bohemia ana
prisms and are associated with granular limestone
But these stones OF Europe and America are OF no
commercial 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 consider
alton when fixing the 10 be paid. Sapphires
do not necessarily. like the ruby. rise In price as
they increase In size.
CELEBRATED sAPPHIREs
Among the celebrated sapphires is that which
was seen by the English Ambassador who
sent TO Ava 10 was said 10 he 95l carats In weight
OF a beautiful blue and without a flaw There is
another Of fine color in the collection OF minerals
at the Jardin des Pantes, in Paris. weighing nearly
1874 carats without a spot or flaw. This stone was
originally found in. Bengal by poor man. It SUISSE
quently came into the possession OF member
OF the house of Raspo. I'm Rome who In turn left
IL German prince. who sold IL TO French
Jewel merchant for 1880
Two celebrated chemists of Paris have sue
ceeded OF late years In preparing artificial sap
phires resembling the true gems In their physical
characters well as in chemical composition.
They nevertheless lack the play Of color and
briliiancy of the real stones Edison, too has been
successful In producing artificial sapphires
chemically perfect as the real gems. but colorless
However. they fully answer the purpose for all
practical use, in his electrical appliances, where
they necessary as contact points"
MEDICINAL QUALITIES.
Oriental mineralogy is at present an obscure sub
ject. hut the TRANSACTIONS OF Raja kalkishen from
the Persian and Indian works Of ancient date, as
reported TO the Asia,c Society are throwing light
on this fascinating subject. The medicinal quail
ties attributed to sapphire by the ancients are