Evening star., 1901-12-13
FASHIONS IN GEMS.
In the Race for Popularity, However
Diamonds Are Still First.


From the Lendon Mail.
London is the gem market of the world,
and both rough and cut stones of all shapes,
sizes and colors flow to the metropolis in
a steady stream. Pearls have been the
rage for the last few years, and their
value has advanced amazingly On account
of this mania some few people believe
that these tears OF angels have reached
their highest value: but experts in this line
maintain that pearls bought today will
prove a good investment, basing their sup
position on the fact that the demand, which
is daily growing, is greater than the sup
ply.
The idea that any one can instantly buy
anything deired in pearls is soon thrown
aside when the search commences. 1t
often takes years to collect perfectly
matched pearls for necklace, and this
necessarily adds to their commercial value
Pearls of the greatest value have a purity
of color and smoothness of satin, with an
iridescent sheen that can never be imit1ted
which shows up in the colored as well as in
the white gen. A pretty custom among
mothers of means Is to present the girl
baby at it's birth with one PEARL and en-
each birthday thereafter another to match;
then on her wedding day to complete the
necklace with the requisite number. The
godmother who can afford it often takes
this pretty attention upon herself, allowing
the bridegroom to supply the clasp to COM
plete the crclet. While white pearls are
first in favor, the colored ones also come
in for good share of popularity, the back
ones ranking highest in value. The beau
tiful green coloring peculiar to the black
pearl together with it's wonderful hstre
and iridescent effect, makes it gem much
sought after.
Diamonds are also in demand, and are
far and away the most popular prec ous
stones we have. The general public like Ii
glittering effect, and it is surprising how
60
regulating the price of this much-used gem.
AS as instance, cut diamonds say, kd-
rat in weight, can be purchased from f5 to
f5O which gives some idea of the many
qualities in the market During the last
few years many diamonds have been cut
in marquise shape, that is to say, long and
pointed at both ends. At first sight this
appears a great sacrifice of material, but
only stones in the rought whose shapes lend
themselves to the style are treated in this
way. During the past four or five years
diamonds of all grades have increased in
value from 40 to 60 per cent. Whether this
can be attributed to either the increased de-
mand, or smaller output consequent upon
the war in South Africa, is disputed
point.
In colored stones the ruby undoubtedly
ranks first in value, the finest coloring be-
ing likened to arterial blood from when ii
gets the name of pigeons Blood this be-
ing the orthodox ruby hue. While large
quantities of rubies are regularly sold, fine
are very rare ana II is not un-
usual for fine stones of from two to three
karats to change hands for fl 900 or more.
The finest rubies are found in Burma. En-
eralds are rarely free from flaws, even~in
the small stones, and rank next to the ruby
in value, the most highly priced being those
having fine, dark, velvety green color.
AT the present time emeralds of truly fine
color are great rarity, and when they are
to be had a stone of one karat brings as
much as f10O. Sapphires are distinctively
day stones, and, though it is not known to
many people, they are found in other colors
besides blue, among them being white,
green and yellow but, of course, the corn
flower blue is the accepted sapphire color.
The ruby and sapphire are identical in all
save color, and show the same imperfec-
tions.
Turquoises have been for several years,
and are STILL very fashionable, and never
look so well as when set with diamonds.
They are usually sold at the buyers risk, as
no one can guarantee that the color will
not change to a greenish tone. Any one
prizing these dainty blue stones should
avoid wearing them when in delicate health
and when travelling on salt water. The
superstition concerning opals seems to be
dying natural death, If one may judge
from the many that are being worn. Hun
garian opals are deemed the finest, though
immense quantities of lesser value have Of
late years been brought from Queensland.