Omaha daily bee., 1915-06-09

,he-e effects are simultaneously pro-
iuced.
Recently experiments of this kind have
been tried upon the most delicate OF all
goms-the pearl--wlth results about
which experts disagree. II " reported
that a Paris jeweler allowed Hndoo
expert 30 peel a pearl. valued at SIS
co. and then submit Il to the action OF
ultraviolet rays. the result being that
the gem lost one-fifth OF it's original
weight. but gained 20 much in orient"
and In beauty OF color that it's value was
increased to more than E0,0ol. Peel
ting IN this case, means removing IA
outer layer from the series OF concen-
trio iaminae OF which q pearl consists.
and which resemble the successive
coats" OF an Onion.
The word orient" which IL currently
employed among pearl merchants, IL
poetic trope based upon the idea OF sun
rise, and refers 20 the peculiar irides-
cence OF the pearl. II IL analogous TO
the word water AZ used to express the
reiative luster OF diamonds.
hut Notwithstanding the allesed sue
cess Of the Paris jewellers experiment.
With his gem. London expert is quoted
as declaring that better way 20 doc
tor" q pearl Is simply TO wear II. This
is no new legend. but one that has often
been repeated. In some OF It's forms
mystic connection with the fortune OF
| the wearer In assumed. There Is no
doubt that pearls are more subject 10
outside Influences than are stones like
the diamond.
The London expert just referred Ia
says; "a pearl necklace that Is worn
once or twice month viii go on for
half century showing no change. LOGS
that same necklace up FOR twenty years
and all the glow and luster are gone.
and the pearls look like wax beads.
In It's manner of origin the pearl diff
fers from all other gems. II is not
stone. In the ordinary pense. but a growth
OF mineral matter, mainly calcium car
! Donate. formed around nucleus, con-
sistins Of a minute grain OF sand. or other
hard object. or perhaps parasite. which
serves as center Of irritation inside the
shell Of an oyster and which gradually
becomes encysted, or eneased in success
sivc layers Of carbonate OF lime secreted
by the physiological processes OF the liv-
Ing animal. Various species OF oyster are
] capable OF forming pearls, but they be-
como true gems only when secreted in
the bodies OF species whose shells are
lined with q nacreous, or peRrly sub
stance. The pearls sometimes found IN
ordinary oysters are dull. shapeless. and
usually without value.
The old Persiaus. who put the pearl
above ali other gems, had a legend TINT
they were formed OF crystalized rainbowH
which had ehanced to fall into the shells
of oysters as the animals lay airing them
selves on the beach. Even the Roman
, philosopher Ping could see nothing Inn
probable in the supposition that the drops
OF water. once inside the shell of the
oyster. could be hardened by mingline
with che secretions of the animal
Ono Of the most famous pearls in history
was found by a negro boy at Panama IN
the days Of the Spanish conquestF. II
! was pearl shaped and as large as the
largest pigeons eRg. It was presented "a
Philip II and became known as lie
Il Pelegrina." and was regarded as a
j prodigy. II was worn as hat buckle BY
several kings Of Spain. then as an orna'
ment for the hair OF q queen and finally
( II found its way 10 Russia. where It seem,
: 20 have disappeared
! Whatever the real facts may be az n
Z the Improvement OF the iustre OF pearls
o by treatment with ultraviolet light o.
: other rare rays. there seems 20 be nS
Il doubt that some precious stones yielt
readily to the influence OF the lombard
nnent OF broken atoms shot from radlum
. Among these are sapphires. When sap
n phires II undesirable color arc put Int
: a box with a little radium bromide. AM
Q left shut up with that miracle workei
4 for a month. they come out transfigure,
! into gems OF beauty. the oolors being al
y changed for the better So. II Il said
h ordinary corupdum when shut up FOR
J. time with a tube OF radium comes on
d blooming with the glorious hues o
emeralds. topazes, precious sApphires an,
other costly stones. .'a