CATALOGUE OF GEMS. 571 



Portii. in his M:i<j;iao Nntunilis, says lliat the roral will arii'st the 

 liow of ])lood and keep off evil spirits. This belief still persists in 

 Italy where a hand iiolding- a hraneli of coral is not infrequiMitly worn 

 as a protection against the evil eye. 



D'liimond. — This stone l)eing of all gems the purest, hardest, and 

 most l)rilliant, was considered to be the most powerful in spiritual 

 influences and was consecrated to all that was holy and heavenly. 



It was symbolical of constancy, purity, and innocence, and hence 

 early used in betrothal rings. It softened anger, strengthened love, 

 and was considered an infallible test of conjugal fidelity. To the 

 ancients the diamond represented inexorable justici^ and unchangeable 

 fate, hence the judges of Hades were described as having hearts and 

 bosoms of adamant. 



According to the Tahnud, a certain gem, supposed to have been the 

 diamond, worn in the girdle of the high priest, if brought in contact 

 with an accused man became dark and dim if the suspect was guilty: 

 if innocent the stone shone with increased brilliancy. 



In Europe as late as 1700 the diamond was thought to })e the most 

 potent talisman against poison, pestilence, witchcraft, etc. It was 

 esteemed a safeguard to virtue; was used as a preventive of and a 

 cure for lunacy. It was supposed to drive away lenuires, incubi, and 

 kindred terrors; and was considered a preservativ(» against lightning. 

 The gem was supposed to possess sex, and Boetius de Boot mentions 

 two such diamonds w^hich l)y tluMi' union produced others and thus 

 left a luuuerous progeny. 



Sir John Mandeville also bears witness to the procreative powers of 

 diamonds: 



They grow together, male and female, and are nourished l)y the dew of heaven; 

 and they engender eomnionly, and bring forth small children that multiply and 

 grow all the year. I have oftentimes tried the experiment, that if a man keep them 

 with a little of the rock, and wet them with ^lay <lew often, they shall grow every 

 year and the small will grow great. 



Speaking further concerning the diamond, Mandeville held that in 

 order to secure the greatest good from a diaiuond it should ))e worn 

 on the left side. 



For it is of greater virtue than on the right side; for the strength of their growing 

 is toward the north, that is the left side of the workl, and the left part of a man is 

 when he turn.s his face toward the east. He who so carries the diamond upmi liini, 

 it gives him hardness and manhood, and it keeps the limbs of his body whole. It 

 gives him victory over his enemies, if his clause is just; and it keeps him that bears 

 it in good wit; and it keeps him from strife and riot; from sorrows and enchant- 

 ments; and from i)liantasies and illusions of wicked spirits. It makes a man 

 stronger and firmer against his enemies; and heals him that is a lunatic, and those 

 whom the fiend pursues or torments. .\n<l if venom or jjoison be brought in pres- 

 ence of the diamond, anon it begins to grow moist and sweat. Nevertheless, it hap- 

 pens often that the good diamond loses its virtue by sin, and for incontiTience of 

 him who bears it; and then it is needful to make it recover its virtue again, or else 

 it is of little value. 



