;=* 



118 



the wit. The Balais Ruby is a protector against h'ghtning. The 

 Chrysohte was said to cool boihng water and assuage the thirst, and if 

 placed in contact with poison it lost its brilliancy until removed." 



It was not until chemistry began to be fairly understood that the 

 system of classifying all stones of one colour under the same name was 

 abandoned, and although science has made rapid strides and much 

 light has been thrown on this subject, yet the investigators of the near 

 future may look upon our labours and theories with the same doubtful 

 appreciation as we now entertain of those of our forefathers. I have 

 been diverted somewhat from my original intention, in pointing out the 

 superstitions of the ancients regarding certain gems, but in so doing 

 we are enabled to see the existing link still unbroken, with the 

 superstition of the present day. Concerning the Opal you will find 

 that not two ladies out of six will wear this stone, because they say it is 

 unlucky. 



The present time may be considered an age of artificial gems, 

 owing, no doubt, to their insignificant value and bright colours, which 

 frequently almost equal those of real gems, and thanks also to the skill 

 of the artificer, whose designs have been immortalized by the apprecia- 

 tion they have received. I know of no more unpleasant business than 

 to be called upon to give an opinion of an old family heirloom, perhaps 

 a ring or a brooch, from the age or make-up of which one could infer 

 without much doubt that the setting once contained a costly gem ; 

 years of wear had, however, weakened the delicate claws, and it was 

 then handed to a workman for repair, so as to avoid its loss ; but alas, 

 too often some unscrupulous person had abstracted the jewel and 

 replaced it with one of glass. The imposition may remain unnoticed 

 for a great many years, and at last, when the fact is known, it is then 

 too late to recover the gem. The workman that was guilty of such 

 fraud had either left for other parts of the world or was dead — (personal 

 experience). 



Another way in which the unsus])ecting ]:)ublic can be defrauded is 

 known to the trade as "Growing a Diamond." This consists of 

 abstracting a Diamond from a piece of jewellery that has been lelt for 

 repair and replacing it with a smaller stone. Another fraud which is 

 very prevalent, is the substitution of a " doublet " for a real gem. In 



