Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-30
JEWELS OF THE ANC|ENTS
MORE ESTEEMED BY MODERNS
THAN NEW CUTTINGS.
Gems of Chalcedony, Sardonyx, Laps
Lazuli and Antique
Adornments.

From the Manchester Guardian
In ancient days the gems which we ac-
count precious stones were almost I'M
known. The Assyrian and Egyptian gems
were of chalcedony, sardonyx, laps lazuil
and so on. The more valuable varieties
contained Jewel matrix, and there was no
attempt to cut them in such fashion as
hest to exhibit their intrinsic beauties.
They were, however, very deliberately cut
usually in symbolic form, since their chief
usefulness was as seals. The stones were
nrobabIy found in the beds of the streams
and. treasured for their transparency.
color or hardness; and it was only as the
ancients followed the rivers and brooks
to their upland source that they found
the gems of greater beauty hidden in the
mountains.
The Assyrian cylinder seals have come
to the American public through the col
lection in the museum OF art Ihey
form one of the most interesting and Deau-
tiful classes of gems in the world. When
an Assyrian desired to set down certain
things in writing he summoned the scribe,
who formed a square of clay. inscribed IL
with the requisite intelligence IN cunel-
form characters, and while the clay was
still wet rolled the seal over the plank
parts of the square. Then II was iesaL
the seal ring is rather curious and inter
estine. The hollow cylinder, hollow IN the
middle grew more ana more uehii5'e y,
into the form of ring winch couid pc
carried on a chain. In other woraS' nc nc
hole grew bigger and bigger, until the
thing was a complete ring of metal. Win
the seal attached to one side OF It,
Early Seal Jewels.
These early seal jewels. exquisitely cut
are among the rarest gems today. one
of the most beautiful and most ancient is
the property of Daniel Zado Noorian' the
excayator of Babylon, through whose
hands passed most of the metropolitan
collection. 1t represents the prowess OF
Nimrod, the mighty hunter before the
Lord" and was cut not later than 4ooo
wears before Christ. Composed OF iapls
lazuli and of an unusually deep blue, IL
presents a picture amazing enough to con-
template for it is cut with oelicacy anu
strength which modern artists despair OIL
emulating. The ancient gems all stood
for something vital and Significant.
The Egyptian gems were also carved
-usualIy into scarabs, swastikas. royal
c.rtouches. and so on. Indeed, tie
abandoning of cutting designs upon
Jewels did not gain favor Tor long
time The intaglio was also favor lie
throughout Europe, and II was rom
gems came to fulfill their gorgeous
and sinister destinies. Jewels were
used as ransoms and money In toe
middle ages-and above all as talls-
mans. with extraordinary curative or
preventive powers. They were closely
affiliated with the craft of alchemy, and
were seriously prescribed as remedies
for the plague. eye troubles, nerve
Weaknesses and nearly all other Ills.
Agate was believed to have the power
arfi # a m
supposed to cure sore throat and ague,
bloodstone stopped the bleeding from
wounds and diamond was an infalllble
restorer of strength and courage.
Virtues of the Garnet.
The garnet lowered the highest and
most dangerous fever. the moonstcne
cured epilepsy, the ruby was disinfec-
tant, the sapphire healed insanity, tee
topaz stopped the pains of burns, the
tourmaline stopped the toothache, the
turquoise prevented bruises-and the
latter gem would also tell the hour by
strikes if held against a wineglass.
Amethyst when placed in cup of wine
rendered the liquid non -intoxicant. and
pearls. being the tears of heaven"
have always been accepted as condu-
Give to emotionalism. AS for emeralds.
they had legion of superstitions at
tached to them-when worn by cell
ibate they were supposed to render
their owner invisible. They were uni
versally believed to register the fidel
ity of lovers by Their waxing or waning
color These are bit few of the
thousand and one beliefs which clung
to gems during the middle ages. To
this day many of the superstitions are
half believed. 1T is doubtful whether
anything has affected the fairy tales
and fictions Of the world as nave