572 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1900. 



PiciTO de Boniface, a fourteenth century alchemist, taught that one 

 of the virtues of the diamond was to render its wearer invisible and 

 invincible. 



In this comiection the Shah of Persia is the possessor of a diamond 

 set in a scimitar which is believed to render him invincible so long as 

 he has it by him. The shah also has a five-pointed star of diamonds 

 which is thought to make conspirators instantly confess their crimes 

 when in its presence. 



A diamond ring was given to Mary Queen of Scots, })y Ruthven, 

 as a talisman against danger and poison. The queen also possessed 

 tAvo other diamonds — " one medicinable and against poison,'' the other 

 "medicinable for the collicke." 



According to the Puranas, the diamond varies in the preponderance 

 of one or the other of the five primal elements — 



Earth, water, sky, energy, and air. The "airy" sort gives lieart and gracefulness, 

 the "skyey" diamonds bring about the possession of all kinds of weahh. The own- 

 ership and use of those kinds in which energy predominates adds to puissance, hero- 

 ism, and hope. Those diamonds which are white like the jessamine flower, white 

 clouds, or the moon, and are possessed of six or eight corners, sharp ridged, that 

 have originated from water, and that shine in the darkness, lead to the instant cure 

 of snake bites, and prove efficacious in neutralizing the effects of other poisons, and 

 prove a panacea as soon as worn. 



Like men, diamonds are divided into castes, Brahmins, Vaisya, Kshatriyas, and 

 Siidras. The wearing of sui)erior Brahmin diamonds gives favor in the eyes of the 

 gods. The better sort of the Kshatriya class bring al^out uniform success, accession 

 of power, and destruction of foes. The best stones of the Vaisya class are productive 

 of fame, wisdom, and skill in the fine arts. The higher order of the Sudra caste 

 induce benevolence in their owner and make him hale and wealthy. 



As the promiscuous intercourse of one caste with another gives rise to mixed castes 

 among men, so it is with diamonds. These mixed castes give rise to impurities and 

 flaws in the stones, and which, according to their nature and kind, are fraught with 

 grave trouble to man. Such diamonds cause: Unchastity; brings destruction; renders 

 man apprehensive of snake bites; creates fear; leads to ruin, loss of family dignity, 

 and death. Ru(;h stones are dangerous to pregnant women and contact with them 

 maj' lead to al)ortion. 



A shapeless diamond is fraught with danger; a dirty diamond with grief; a rough 

 diamond with unhappiness, and a black diamond with various troubles. A three- 

 cornered diamond gives rise to quarrels; a four-cornered diamond occasions various 

 fears; a five-cornered one brings death; but a six-cornered stone is productive of 

 good. 



Since the use of impure diamonds leads to danger, causes swelling in wounds, faint- 

 ness, leprosy, pleurisy, jaundice, etc., it is highly advisal)]e to refine and purif}' the 

 stone before using it medicinally. 



The process is as follows: On some auspicious day dip the diamond in the juice of 

 Kdiitakiiri (solarium jaquiri) and then burn it in a tire made of dried cow or buffalo 

 dung. The burning should be carried on for a whole night. In the morning the 

 diamond should be put under horse's urine and again burnt. These operations are 

 continued for seven days. The stone is then innnersed in a gruel made of various 

 leguminous seeds to which assafoedita and rock salt have been added and heated 

 repeatedly twenty and one times. By this means the diamond is purified and rechiced 

 to ashes. The taking of a diamond so treated gives longevity, strength, energy, 

 beauty, develops the i)arts, and effects a cure for every distemper. (Mani-Mald. ) 



