Smyrna times., 1905-03-08
ORIENTAL JEWELRY.
PERSONAL ORNAMENTS MIXED WITH
ODD SUPERSTlTIONS.

and Bends That Are Potent Charms
For FeIicity-Legend of the Kaaba
stOne-The Sacred Signet Ring.
The orientals love of luxury, splen-
dor of attire and personal adornment
acts as a strong incentive to the eastern
ieweler in the production of those ex-
ouisitely carved and multicolored crea-
lions over which the modern world
raves and marvels. Nor are such deco
rations mere ornaments without other
use or meaning.
The oriental jeweler, seated upon the
floor of his little shop, inhaling the fra
grant Odors of his pipe and coffee, con-
ceives his design and jealously envel-
ops it with mysticism, adding to it the
quaint charm of symbol and supersti-
ton. The bracelet, the earrings, the
necklace, the clasp, the buckle and the
button grow step by step into a special
ornament according to the rank,
means, tastes and wants of the wearer,
an evidence of class and dignity.
Bracelets are by Orientals worn in
pairs. Each hand is provided with one,
as otherwise jealousy will spring up
between the manual members and evil
deeds will follow. Earrings are popu-
lar among both sexes in certain parts
of the orient. The ears are pierced at
birth. The perforatiOns are made un-
necessarily large so as not to permit a
residue of gossip. Then ornaments are
offered the ears as consolation. Neck
laces are worn most conspicuously to
avert the evil eye and to denote dig
nifty and distinction. Festoon neck
laces seem to have been in vogue from
time immemorial, and not infrequently
do they adorn the whole chest Of the
wearer. In India the men often borI
row their wives necklaces to decorate
themselves with. Masculine vanity of
certain sects of the Persians far ex-
ceeds that of women, and, aside from
wearing earrings and necklaces, they
almost mOnopoliZe the tiny seed pearls
by stringing them in their boards, each
hair being literally covered with a lus-
trous pearl
Beads are among the earliest forms
of ornaments and are considered po-
tent charms for felicity, as these are
often cut and sold by priests or sheiks,
who maintain themselves solely by this
means. The pear shaped drop so much
in vogue in Europe and America is of
decidedly oriental origin and has at
tached to it a quaint myth. The Kaa-
ba stone in Mecca has this peculiar
shape, and, according to the theory of
the Mohammedans, this stone was the
actual guardian angel who was sent to
watch over Adam in Eden and was
present at his fall. AS a punishment
for not having more vigilantly exc
cuted his trust the angel was changed
into a stone and hurled from paradise.
Most Mohammedans wear pearl shaped
pendants made of wood or some pre-
cious stone as a reminder Of Allah's
wrath, and these are held among them
in the same esteem as is the cross
among the Christians.
Armlets are regarded as caste marks
and are worn only by women. Anklets
have healing power and so are worn
not as ornaments only. Little tinkling
bells are often attached to these, which
lend a pleasing sound to an approach
ing step and serve to denote the su-
periority and rank of the wearer and
thus in passing render due homage.
An Arabian poet describes these as
''the awakeners Of dormant senses"
Rings are worn in great profusion
and are made of all sorts of metals.
fhexr nv.
quisitely carved or openwork shanks.
Even the stones have their symbols
and are worn accordingly. In the
orient no prejudice exists against
Opals.
Signet rings were of great importance
among the earlier orientals, and ever
to the present day letters are rarely
otherwise signed by those who send
them. Thus the authenticity Of al
orders and communications, ever
merchants bills, depends wholly upoI
an impression of a signet ring. The
occupation of the seal cutter is regard
ed as one of great trust and danger
Such a person is obliged to keep reg
lister of every ring seal he makes, anC
if one be lost or stolen from the party
for whom it was cut his life would
answer for making another just like 1t
The loss of a signet ring is regarded al
q disastrous calamity, and the alarm
which an oriental exhibits at the Loss
Of the signet can only be understood
by a reference to these circumstances
as the seal cutter is always obliged t.
alter the real date at which the sea
was cut. The only resource of per
son who has lost his seal is to hav'
another made with new date and tt
write to his correspondents to inform
them that all accounts, contracts ant
communications to which his forme
signet is affixed are null from the da.
on which it was lost.-Jewelers' Circu
lar-Weekly.
Obviating the RuIes.
Mrs Flat aIwayg insist that m,