CATALOGUE OF GEMS. 563 



also avertod the evil effects of adverse astral influences by wearing 

 certain stones. If the sun was adverse, the cat's-eye; if the moon, the 

 sapphire, etc. 



The mystic ascribed a certain significance both to the gem and to 

 its various colors. For example, white was the emblem of light, purity, 

 faith, innocence, joy, and life; worn l)y women it was emblematic of 

 chastity; by the ruler, of humility and integrity. Red signified pure 

 love and wisdom; in another sense it signified passion, love of evil, 

 hatred, etc. Blue was indicative of truth constancy, and fidelity. 

 Yellow in one sense was symbolical of marriage and faithfulness; in 

 another sense of inconstancy, jealousy, and deceit. Green was the 

 color of hope, especially that of immortalit}". Amethystine signified 

 love, truth, passion, sufl^ering, and hopefulness, and among the Rosi- 

 crucians was symbolical of the divine male sacrifice. 



Stones of all sorts were engraved with the figure of a cockatrice, 

 which, under the proper planetary influence, were preservatives against 

 the evil eye. The names of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were engraved 

 on stones, chiefly amethj'st, onyx, and bloodstone, which were worn as 

 preventives of contagious diseases, the larger the stone, the greater 

 its eflicacy. Gems were also supposed to indicate the state of health 

 of the donor or wearer. If the stone became dull, opaque, or colorless 

 it was thought to be significant of danger and death. In a similar 

 manner they lost or changed color in contact with poisons. 



Dreaming of gems was usuallj' fraught with good, while seeing or 

 handling them on the eve of a journey, or at certain phases of the 

 moon, was regarded as auspicious. 



Supernatural influences have been attributed to gems which still pass 

 current. For example, an onyx ring, supposed to be the espousal ring 

 of Mary and Joseph, exhibited in the Duomo of Perugia, is thought 

 to be eflicacious in the cure of every disorder. Amber is still used as 

 a prophylactic and curative for goiter, croup, and diseases of the 

 throat. The opal is thought by many to Ijring ill luck to the wearer. 

 The coral is still believed to be a charm against diseases of childhood, 

 and is extensively worn in Ital}' as a protection against the " evil eye." 

 Pearls are dreaded by some and favored by others. No French bride 

 will wear them on her wedding day, since the}^ would bring tears to 

 hei" married life. In the East the believers are dogmatic in their faith 

 and it is heresy to assert that the use of gems has no practical influence 

 over l)ody or mind. 



It is impossible here to do more than hint at the many beliefs con- 

 cerning gems which were or are current, and the following notes 

 merely suggest a few of the more prevalent lieliefs on this subject. 



Agate. — Emblematic of health and wealth. An enemy to all venom- 

 ous things; assauges thirst when held in the mouth; gives victory to its 

 wearer; repels storms; sharpens the sight; preserves and increases 



