The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-11
GARNET AND TOPAZ.
Two Old-Fashioned
But Beautiful
Stones.
CHARM AWAY THE BLUES. !"
Emblems of Constancy
and Fidel-
ity.
CHARM AWAY THE BLUES. "
Enlblenls

I have bracketed these two stones to-
eether because they have a natural at
flnity, not only in their chemical COM
position but also in the meanings as
signed to them by popular tradition
the garnet being the emblem of con-
stancy, the topaz of fidelity. Those
who only know the garnet as ordinarily
displayed in the shops can have but a
faint idea of the beauty of a really fine
specimen. There are about eight FINDS
Of garnet only two of which are reck-
oned by experts as gems, says The
Lady. OF these the Sirian stone, found
near the river Siri, in Pegu, is the most
valuable The name garnet IS
thought to be derived from the Low
Latin "granatus,' on account OF the
granular formation of the gem. some
authorities think the term was used TO
signify its resemblance to the seed OF
the pomegranate; but this is less prob
able inasmuch as red is not the only
color to be met with among garnets.
White, green. yellow, black, and brown
specimens have been found: but the
cOstliest are the deep ru5y-tinted
stones and the lovely green ones-oL
comparatively recent Introduction 20
the trade-tHhich comes from The lr3l
mountains, and are almost as tine as
emeralds; they have, indeed flre IN
their inmost depths which these gems
lack, and which is only equalleu pE liza
of the diamond.
The garnet. which is the birthstone
for thoseOf January natiVityand is con
secrated TO the sixth anniversary OF
MARRIAGE is surrounded by gentle ana
pleasing traditions. The Hindoos can
it "Chfntasiddhi." which signifies
Desire fulfilled Their explanation
for it's connection with the virtue Oh
constancy is that its deep glow cannot
be ouenched: break the stone or split
il into splinters, you will find the self
same fire cleaning in the heart Of eV-
ery fragment, like love surviving IN
Jury and death. Other superstitions
ascribe to the stone a benefcent effect
on the health of the Wearer. 1t is sup
posed to ward off plague, fever and mi
asma, besides soothing the woes OF
sufferers from sleeplessness!
The selection of the topaz as the
guardian stone for those born in No
Vembcr must certainly commend itself
generally to jewellers in northern
climes. who associate the month with
dreariness, darkness, fOgs and other de-
pressing influences. 1t Is supposed 10
be a sovereign charm against ghosts
and evil spirits, a shield against en-
chantment. a cure for madness, and
sure antidote to melancholy. Where
fore the unhappy wight who. suffers
from the blues" in the mournful sea-
son of the fall of the leaf" need only
procure a topaz and wear it faithfully
The same course may be recommended
to nervous ladies whose fancy shudder-
ingly turns in fOggy evenings to the
thought of armed burglars, for is not
the CHEEKY topaz also warranted TO cure
cowardics?
To friends and lovers the stone is
dear because of its more sentimental
attribute Its power of shining in the
dark makes it a fitting pledge of the
fidelity that only shows full beauty in
the dark hour of adversely. Any one
who is lucky enough to possess a pure
Cingalese topaz will, if it be examined
IN an unlighted room, be able to appre-
ciate the allegory, and to understand
the derivation Of the name from the
Sanskrit word tap" signifying Ito
glow" The sailors of CeylOn used to
carry this gem as a precauuon against
ghipwreck, believing in its effectual
guidance through the darkest storm.
The topaz may also be called the
stone of ratitude, therefore it makes
an appropriate Offering to one from
whom we gladly acknowledge benefits
received: and this fancy fits well its
other association, since fidelity must
surely include the faithful remem-
brance of kindness.