The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-04-25
Copyright, 1913, b. A. D. J.cob.on.,

l nave deem asked 70 give the proper
definition Of the British version of the
legend of the meaning of precious
ytones for each month of the year. !
I'm glad to be enabled to comply with
this rather unusual request perferred by
a reader in Michigan. 1t has been a
felicitous idea on the part of the British
gentlefolk Of the seventeenth. and part
Of the eighteenth centuries. when max
ing a gift of jewelry. to present the
recipient with his or her birthstone"
and quite as a matter of course this
custom, which is to be revived. could
not fail to give rise to different legends.
For January, the proper gem is the
garnet. One Of its attributes is that ii
brings sleep to those subject to insom-
MIA, riches, honor, and great wisdom,
constancyt and fidelity in every engage
ment.
| For February it is the amethyst-some
| of the light pale varieties come from
Brazil, while others, that are livid with
red and purple fire, come from North
Carolina and Siberia. The ancient Ro-
mans believed that he or she that drank
| wine from a cup made from this stone
could not become intoxicated.
For March the bloodstone is the SYM
Dol Of wisdom and courage, and pro-
duces firmness in affection. 1t is a dark
green quartz, with small red spots of
Jasper diffused through it, Is Opaque,
and usually cut with a rounded top and
a fiat back 1t Is largely mined in
India.
| April represents the king Of all gems,
fthe diamond. mined almost entirely in
Africa and Brazil The Romans be-
lieved that whoever wore diamond on
the left arm so that 1t touched the skin
would become fearless.
For May the accepted gem is the
emerald. of the same general compost
ton as the aquamarine. The best speci-
mems are mixed at Muse. in Colombia,
1t is believed to be a strengthened of
the eye Ancients never tired of looking
at their emerald rings. This gem is said
to discover false friends, and also to
insure true love.
For June is the pearl. the queen Of
gems. The olden Chinese used them as
medicine for disea ses of the blood. Cleo
[patra, in order to show her contempt
/ for money, and to outshine others in
her lavish wastefulness in those days Of
Oriental splendor. tore off one of her
magnificent large pearl earrings. dis
solved 1t and swallowed it. The Romans
wore pearls even on their shoes.
PearI-stringing is a more pleasant &C.
cupation than pearl-diving. Most of our
pearls come from the Persian gulf,
where the output in some years is worth
as much as 100000 The equipment OF
the Arab divers is primitive, and as
they remain under water nearly three
minutes at every plunge they are near
ly suffiocated by the time they reach
the surface. Most of them become deaf
and the sturdier find 1t impossible TO
keep up the work for more than five
years. Their masters exact fourteen
hours a day from them. and during that
time the divers take no food, but keep
themselves going with strong coffee
For July is the glowing ruby or red
sapphire. 1t denotes love or a LOVING
disposition. An ancient belief was that
the gem caused one to discover the pres
ence of poisons, warned the wearer OF
impending danger by darkening in color,
and when the evil presence had passed
resumed it's bright red color.
For August is the sardonyx. The man
wearing this gem, it is said, will over
come ell contentious. 1t stands for long
life, health. prosperity. conjugal felicity,
is a cure for epilepsy, and causes strife
and melancholy to depart
For September is the ever-popular sap
phire. 1t has many virtues. 1t extin-
wearer. and insures freedom from evil
passions and from sadness of the mind.
For October they had the opal. This
beautiful gem, when extracted from the
damp earth, is quite soft and destitute
of life but the air and sun give 1t diff
ferent degrees of color and beauty.
For November the standard is the to-
paz These stones are often colored artf-
ficially by covering with the bark Of a
certain tree, igniting the bark, and al
lowing it to smolder in warm oven.
The pink topaz is almost universally con-
ceded to be -colored artificially by heat.
This gem is said to quench the thirst
il held under the tongue. 1t also induces
fidelity and friendship.
For December is the blue turquoise.
1t is cheerer of the depressed soul,
and insures prosperity in love affairs.
1t was known for ages as the lucky
stone" 1t also produces health and for
tune.
The Duke of Devonshire, who is selling
his race horses on account of the burden
of taxation, is not the first of his line to
find his rent roll inadequate for his ex-
penditures. The sixth duke. son of the
"Gainsborough' duchess, came into
colossal fortune on attaining his major
ity The whole of his property was in
his own hands. The entail had been cut.
off, and his fathers death had inter-
fered with the resettlement. There was,
therefore no curb on his extravasance,
and so great were the inroads that his
mode of life made on his wealth that to-
ward the end of his life he felt con-
strained to sell his Yorkshire estate of
Londesborough