The Washington herald., 1910-05-08
BY DOROTHY HARMAN DAWSON.

The origin OF this practice can generally
be traced in the etymology OF the word,
or in the myth or legend attached 10
each gem in the country where It was
first found. Many OF them are doubtless
of Persian or Semitic origin, but the
Greek mythology contains them nearly
all.
Each month has its patron stone and
that OF the month OF May is the Emerald.
The veneretion of the Peruvians for the
green emerald, dedicated TO Mercury by
the ancients is we'll known. and the
wOrshipers OF Mantu still believe that the
mines whence are extracted all the
daughters Of the mother-gem are guarded
by terrible GENT, dragons, and other one
eyed people.
Emerald promotes friendship and con-
stancy OF mind. II a serpent fixes its
eyes on an emerald its becomes blind.
1t Is an emblem OF success In love and
is dedicated to May. In the zodiac II
stands for Cancer. in metallurgy for
iron, and in Christian art is given to St.
John. 1t is dedicated to Mars. The
hnest Oriental emerald. ancient writer's
say. lies in the tremendous depths OF
certain mines Of gold. whose approaches
were protected by feroclous and wicked
grifins.
These grifiins were constantly laboring
In the bowels Of the earth in search Of
precious metals and precious stones.
which. when they had found. they would
only surrender with their lives. By or
binary mortals the attempt to obtain pos
session OF them was ever a miserable
failure. and the road 10 the mines was
white with the bones of those who ulG
persisted at the hands OF the grlfins
They could only be secured by applica-
ton to the Arimaspes. a nation Il
Cyciops, who sailed forth in armed CON-
panies to fight and despon their enemies.
the jealous guardians OF the treasures
Of the earth The beryl was once sup
posed % increase conjugal love and to
cure distemper and leprosy; an ayate 10
Quench thirst and turn away storm and
lightning, even as a coral, OF which the
Neapoltans stiH wear amulets to avert
tho evil eye
Adamas or diamond was a Cretan youth
transformed by Zeus into a brilliant and
placed among the stars. This kingly
gem, which has become the appanage
OF the aristocracy and wealthy. is the
symbol of justice, innocence. constancy
and impassivity OF fate Camille Leon
ardus assures us that il battles the dead
Hest poison and the most subtle witch
craft II moreover protects ladies against
those horrible nocturnal visitors, incubes.
II Is supposed to produce somnambuIism
and promote spiritual ecstasy.
The diamond is dedicated 10 April and
the sun. In the zodiac II stands for
Virgo, in metallurgy for gold. in Chris
tan art, invulnerabe faith. The
kohinoor was for centuries the talisnan
OF India. and when years ago the gov
ernor Of Borneo offered $4,000. two
equipped war briggs and numbers Of
cannon for the famous stone of Matan
the Rajah, refused on the plea thar the
fortunes OF his family were connec+e.i
win It, and that the water in which I,
was dipped cured all diseases.
Amethyst was another godly fsvorit,
when Diana turned into a purple-tlrtcd
stone 10 which Bacchus added the color
OF VINE. II superstition had still So firm,
d hoid as once It had upon the minds
OF educated people, what a favorite the
amethyst would be, since such a stone.
especially when set in a cup, rendered
the possesSor Of IL incapable Of in
toXlcation- In fact the gem is supposad
10 Danish the desire for drink and pro-
notes chastity. The Greeks thought II
counteracted the effects OF wine
The amethyst IS an emblem OF humility
and sobriety 1t is dedicated 10 February
and Venus. In the zodiac il represents
SaBluarius, In metallurgy conner in
christian art # is given to St Matthew.
and in the Roman Catholic church II IS
set in the pastoral ring Of bishops
whence II is called the prelate's gem
According TO etiquette. the AMETHYST Is
the only stone which may be worn dur
ing mourning.
Not less powerful than the diamond IS
the sapphire. so useful once 70 the
necromancer, or the holy stone as II
was called, being the emblem off chas-
u'y ana securing the granting Of all
prayers Sapphire produces somnambu-
ism and impels the wearer tn all qood
works In the zodiac II signifies loo
ana IN Christian art Il is dedicated 20
81. andrew emblematic Of his heavenly
faith and good hope. Some give this gem
to April The Pagans dedicated II 70
Apollo. 1t became the episcopal srone
by decree Of Innocent III in the twelfth
century. but in modern DAYS II has mot
with a sad reversion Of fate: Il IS no
longer regarded as lucky stone
The ruby, the live coal Of the Greak
is not less emblematcal and potent ana
the Brahmin traditions speak wonders NJ
the abodes Of gods. lighted by enorn,ou,
rubies and emeralds. Il was believed 20
olspel evil thoughts. and warned its
Wearer OF danger by becoming black or
obscure. The East Indian, merchants
still prize 1t so highly that they will not
willingly show a fine specimen withopt a |
bride; and the Chinese present II n tba
present day, as a most sacred token ~ |
friendship. The Burmese believe Tho
ruby ripens Ike fruit. They say thar |
ruby In its crude state is colorless ana |
as 1t natures. changes first 10 veIIou, |
then 10 green, then to blue. ana Ias,I,, |
70 n brilliant red. it's highest STATE :. |
perfection and ripeness. In tina zod,sa
It stands OF Aries
Some give II to December and naks .,
the emblem Of brilliant success Anotbor
supposed property Of this valued COW,
was that It gave light in the dark. Gar
cias Alb Horto, physician to a fornos-
viceroy OF the Indies. relates thar cav,
eral persons in his hearing had decI.-ua
their ocular perception of this extrord,-
nary quality. But Garcias wisely adds
he did not believe them. or some rubIes
formerly held in high estimation r. ,eor,.