Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-15

from India
TWO of the most common expressions in
I the trade are interesting in the light they |
throw on the history of precious stones. |
The word "oriental" has come to be applied
to all gems of the finest quality, no matter
where they come from. Less frequently the |
word occidental" is used to designate in
ferior stones This is due of course to the
fact that for centuries the supply of precious
stones came from the East, and also to the
fact that even when new mines were later
discovered in Western countries the gems
were at first thought to be inferior. Some
times the word "oriental" is used in another
way. For instance, the oriental topaz, the
oriental emerald, and the oriental amethyst
are in reality all sapphires, and receive those
names solely on account of their color. Ct
course the oriental topaz is a much rarcr and
finer gem than the real topaz; SO that the
usual idea implied in the word is here car
ried out, as it is by contrast when the yellow
cairngorm is called the occidental topaz.
The three former stones really come under
the head of fancy sapphlres, which is the
trade expression for Sapphires of some other
color than deep blue All stones except |
diamonds are called fancies when they de-
part radically from their normal color. The |
brilliance of fancy sapphires is very great;
but they are among the less expensive of the
gems. Most of the fancy sapphires come
from Ceylon; but Montana supplies some
beautiful ones.
"Fine old Spanish emeralds" is a phrase
that means something quite different from
what it seems to imply. There never was
an emerald mined in Spain; but after the
conquest of Peru the conquerors brought
home great quantities of loot, of which en-
eralds formed an important part. In this
way the finest emeralds came into possession
of the old Spanish families, and, as few had
been seen in Europe previous to that time, |
all the best stones soon became ClasSed as
fine old Spanish emeralds. To-day the ex-
preston applies to the best emeralds of any
source.
Montana sapphires are known to the
trade as new mine sapphires, as distinc-
ton from old mine sapphires from other
countries. The best are highly thought of
abroad. Most of them are sent there to be
cut, though great many later find their
way back to this country.
The opal used in jewelry is distinguished
from other varieties of less value by calling
it precious or noble opal. Opals differ
greatly in their color effects, and these are
known as the pattern of the gen. The
shape and size of the flashes of color vary
from very small, when the stone is called
pin's-point opal, to larger, squarish spangles,
when it is called harlequin opal
The line of reflection in the center or near
the center of moonstone is called the blush.
Jade is sometimes known as New Zealand
greensboro, also as axstone. The best vari-
cites are known as imperial green. OF the
garnets the reds are often sold under such
names as Cape ruby, ruby garnet, and
Australian ruby. The green variety is some
times sold as a Uralian emerald.
THERE are some varieties of turquoise
that retain their color perpetually. These
are said to belong to the old rock, while those
which turn green are ascribed to the new
rock Siberia yields mammoth teeth, which
after receiving a color from iron phosphate
are known in the market as fossil turquoise.
1t is detected by its odor when gently
heated. If moistened with an acid, it will
effervesce. The fossil turquoise, SO called,
is not a mineral, like the rock turquoise. 1t
is merely colored teeth of fossil animals.
Nevertheless, it retains its color better than
great deal of the real stone does.
Brazilian emerald is really tourmalin.
Lithia emerald is known as hiddenite, a
is found in North Carolina. The balas r.
is really spinel. The gem known as the