The Washington herald., 1912-06-26

/
found It sold It to a jeweler for the
value OF the gold Il contained. After
various vicissitudes II was purchased
by the British Museum.
During the Middle Ages rings were
made in q very high bezel, the sides
| often ornamented with fine filigree
work and enamels, and a small stone
set in the top. These rings are the
most common objects of jewelry to
have survived from medieval times,
and almost the only pieces Of what one
may call the ornaments OF everyday
as distinguished from crown or ''ec-
clesIastical" jewelry. The Renais-
sance type ring was, like the rest of
the jewelry of that period, very elabo-
rate and adorned with enamels, cam
eos, and figures worked in full relief
During the seventeenth century IA
ceted stones OF mixed colors were very
much used for ornAmentation, and with
the eighteenth the diamond began IT'S
| reign and has been the ring stone ever
since: but still during this period there
have been other varieties made that,
without possessing a hundredth part
of the intrinsic value OF diamond
ring set with large stone OF the pur-
est water yet have qualities that make
them much more interesting in col
lection.
It has been demonstrated quite often
that buyers Of rarities and fine gems
are taken IN. yet they continue to i'm
agine that they are getting bargains.
They believe too much in their own re-
sponsibility and sound judgment, which
always is a risky thing to do. unless
they have sufficient experience to make
them more or less expert. Especially is
this the case OF the tourists in the ORR
ent, who, by willy traders, often are Of
fered stones which they imagine must
be cheap just because they are obtain
able IN that locality. They only too often
turn out TO be glass finely colored. Es-
pecially in Ceylon this sort Of fraud
frequently is practiced. Natives are
shrewd enough TO work up quite a plot
TO make their tale appear feasible.
The story Is told OF a young tea plant
er going "up country from Colombo
for the first time, who, on the way.
went 10 the rescue OF an old man who
was being treated roughly by a stall
aggressOr away. he released the poor
trembling victim, who humbly thanked
him, calling down all sorts of blessings
on his head. and brought out a pearl
from his bosom, OF which he said the
other man hal teeh trying to rob him.
He was, so he said. afraid to keep IL,
and although it was worth E5OO he would
rather take ten from the protector OF
the poor" than go in fear Of his life.
The young Englishman did not want the
pearl, but as he thought he could sell
1t at a profit he gave the man what he
asked, thinking II was a great bargain.
OF course. II proved 10 be merely an
imitation. the whole scene having been
got up for his benefit.
OF artificial stones, practically all are
soft and can be scratched with a file
Except some OF the scientific gemsl.
They are, in fact, glass, variously COL
Ored. Old glass pastes that have seen
much wear are often scratched and
d!mmed, and II they do not show any
trace OF this even at the angles, an
examination with a magniher often
shows little bubbles and lines which
prove they have been melted. These
are quite different from the flaws in
real stones. which show the crystalline
character Of the gem. One way OF dis
tinguishing them IS 10 hold them to the
lips uhey must not be warmed by hav-
ing been worm; the real stones feel
cold. while the paste feels soft and |
warm.
DoubIets are moro deceiving than paste |
and also harder to detect, especially II |
the stones be colored. II a pale stonel
has a rich-colored glass case, It not
only makes a large stone out OF a small |
one. but It improves its color immensely. |
This, however, may be found out quite |
easily by applying a test for hardness |
An even more unsoph Istlcated form |
has been invented which has Il thin |
layer OF stone cemented to the base |
well. These triplets, as they are COM |
monty called, are very liable to take in !
the Unwary. In all cases suspected |
stones should be removed frSm their
settings and soaked in hot water, or. |
better still, in chIoroform. which dis
solves the cement and the whole fabric |
falls to pieces. FLANEUR
Copyright. 1872. by Court Gossip syrsIrcate)