Evening star., 1935-01-13

the stone Is nattened or slightly lopsided, this
detracts considerably from its value.
The question most often asked me about
pearls Is, Why do they fade and when they do
can anything be done about it? Well, all pearls,
no matter what their quality, will fade II not
taken care Of properly. This is because the
organic matter, called conchyin will gradually
dry out and lose its water, resulting always in
dulling the much-deSired luster. In order to
obviate this as much as possible, all pearls when
not being worn should be kept in an air-tight
container after being folded in piece Of wet
blotting paper.
Judge sapphire substantially the same way
as you do a ruby-primarily from the color
standpoint. Probably the most desirable shade
is the so-called "cornf1ower blue" This Is
very rich blue, neither very light nor very dark.
What is known as the star sapphire, now un-
usually popular. commands high prices. This
Is Enthusiastically blue, with three svery lines
that cross each other, forming star-shaped
cross.
While classed as quartz, the opal differs from
this mineral in that 1t is never crystalzed and
carries small amount of water in its conSti-
tuition. One Of the most beautiful of gems. it
is yet one Of the most treacherous, being en-
dowed with the fatal gift of beauty" The
lines Of strain Of fractures, which throw back
the light to give radiant effects commonly
known as flashes Of fire." may give way and
cause the stone, however expensive, to crack.
While studying the six members Of the
"royal family Of precious stones" you should
also investigate the half dozen most valuable
semi i-precious stones. These are, in approxi-
mate order Of comparative value, alexandria,
tourmaline, topaz, aquamarine, amethyst and
garnet. Lack Of space forbds many details.
but here are some high points to bear In mind
while appraising the group.
The alexandrite constitutes a unique variety
Of the stone chrysoberyl found in Russia and
Ceylon. This gem ranges from dark-gras to
emerald green and betrays the peculiar prop
erty of changing color to a raspberry red in
artificial light. Exposing the stone to combined
rays Of natural and artificial light will cause
the individual facets to reflect various colors-
light green, golden salmon or red, depending
upon the position in which the gem is held.
FOREMOST among the rarely beautiful trans
! parent jewels Is the tourmaline. Its range
of colors in natural light Is far wider than that
of the alexandrite, and indeed includes practi-
cally every color Of the spectrum. Those used
primarily for gem purposes are usually deep or
opaque greens, delicate pinks or ruby reds.
Many expensive tourmalines have two exquisite
colors blended superbly by mother nature. For
instance, there Is the famous watermelon"
shade which consists Of a thick center Of q
deep pink hue with thin outer edge Of green.
Transparency Is also the keynote Of the
topaz Very pale yellows or whites, rich cinna-
mon browns, delicate blues and double -hued
stones, partly wine-color and partly blue, COM
mand generous prices. Perhaps the most pop
ular color among connoisseurS Is rose red.
Another priced shade Is pink.
Like the emerald, the aquamarine Is q type
of beryl, though far more common. This stone