Waterbury Democrat., 1901-01-29
A TALK ON oEMs.

It was rare treat that the audience at the Rosedale school art league lec- ture had on Saturday afternoon, when James Ryrie of Ryrie Bros, lectnred on Jewels" MT Ryrie combined enough expert information with his lecture to give those present peep be hind the scenes at the processes that result in the glare of the jewels as they catch the buyers eye. Natural ly, to the diamond most attention was paid, and at the very outset Mir Ryrie explained that the term karat ID gold applies to quality, pure gold be- ing 24 karats fine and in this form the particles fell apart like sand, requir- ing an alloy of baser metal to hold them together.
 In the case of diamonds the term "karat" means weight. and is derived from an Indian seed which when dry is absolutely uniform in weight. A diamond weighing 100 karats, there fore, is one that is of the same weight as 100 of these Indian seeds. The end of an ordinary lead pencil repre- sents the surface of stone between one and one-half karats. The cutting of diamonds and their polishing is done with diamond dust mixed with oil placed upon a wheel that revolves with great rapidity, the diamond in process of polishing being fastened to steel arm resting on the wheel. The facets are cut on mathematical lines to re fleet and refraet the rays of light, and there are fifty-eight such facets on every full cut brilliant.
 A rose cut stone is one not sufficient ly deep to admit of regular cutting, and rather than sacrifice too much. instead %~ frf ,YA is fat, with facets on the top. This variety of diamond is only about one quarter the value of Q brilliant of sim liar size and weight. It was supposed by many that white was the only col or known to diamonds. As proof to the contrary, MT Ryrie exhibited to hls audience two black diamonds and one of coffee color, remarlling that they possessed great value on account of their rarity.
 MT Ryrie showed fac similies in size and shape of some of the chief crown jewels, the most notable being the great British diamond, of which he said "Our knowledge of the Kohi- noor, the Indian for Mountain of Light now the property of our queen. dates back to the treasury in Delhi in 1926. After vlcissitudes it fell into the hands of the British soldiery at the capture of Lahore, and was by them presented to her majesty on July 5, 1850. It was exhibited at the exposi- ton of 1851, and being somewhat im- perfect consultation of leading scien- lists, Sir David Brewster among them. thought it might be unsafe to attempt to recut it. After considerable discus sion. however, was intrusted to a MT Coster of Amsterdam, by whom it was very greatly improved. retaining nearly the original surface size. al- though decreasing it very much in weight, being reduced from 1S6 to 1OG karats.'
 Mir Ryrie dealt with colored stones in an equally interesting manner. The emerald, he said, was found in sort of slate stratum in South America. in the Ural mountains and in Egypt The ruby and the sapphire were found in India and Burmah. The beautiful opal was native to Mexico. but the best specimens were from Australia. The turquoise was found in Persia, Egypt and also in some portions of the Unit ed States. One Of the characteristics of this stone Is that it changes color without any apparent cause.-Toron- to (OnO Globe.