catalogup: ok gems. 583 



sheet of re<l, or sends out a ri'd flame, is as meritorious as the eelebratiou of the 

 AswainedJia jajna.^ Such a stone leads to wealth, success, happiness, and long life. 

 (IMani-Milla.) 



SajypMre. — Emblematic of wisdom. If placed on the heart it bestows 

 strength and energ)'. St. Jerome states that the sapphire procures royal 

 favors, softens anger, frees people from enchantment, obtains release 

 from captivit}", and prevents evil and impure thoughts. 



Because of its extreme coldness it was thought to preserve the 

 chastity of its wearer, hence especially suited for ecclesiastical rings. 



Worn in a ring or in any other manner it is able to quench concupiscence, and for 

 this reason it is proper to be worn by the priesthood and by all persons vowed to 

 perpetual chastity. It is said to grow dull if worn by an adulterous or lascivious 

 person. 



It rendered its wearer chaste, virtuous, pious, devout, wise, amiable, 

 and pacihc. It cured boils, carbuncles, and headaches, rested and 

 refreshed the body, and gave a color to the cheeks. Taken with milk 

 it cured cramps. (Leonardus, Speculum Lapidum. 15(12.) 



Soaked in vinegar its vinegar extract was administered in fevers; 

 powdered and soaked in vinegar for one phase of the moon, it was 

 given to insure continency and conjugal love. (Galen.) 



Placed on the heart it cured fever; on the forehead it stopped 

 bleeding at the nose. The powder taken with milk was a remedy for 

 fevers, plague, and poison. (Albertus Magnus.) 



The powdered sapphire used as an ointment cured inflammation and 

 irritation x)f the e3'es; it was also thought to be able to draw out any 

 foreign substance that might be present in them. (Canones Medicinse.) 



According to Giov. Porta the sapphire was of great service in 

 necromancy and the magic arts, and a deadly enemy to all venomous 

 reptiles and insects. (Magiae Naturalis. 1561.) 



The Hindus regarded the stone as unlucky and as a bringer of 

 misfortune. Thus — 



A sai:)phire, the surface of which wears a mica-like sheen, * * * brings about 

 loss of wealth and life. That mark in a sai)phire which at first sight looks like a 

 rift, * * * renders one liable to bites. That sapphire which is parti-colored 

 causes loss of family dignity. The sapphire which contains dirt produces a variety 

 of skin diseases like itching. That which contains gritty fragnients is destructive; 

 that which is rough causes banishment. (Mani-M:il:i.) 



The same authorit}^ says, however, "that sapphire which when 

 placed in a pot of milk darkens it all through, increases wealth, and is 

 conducive to fame and increase of family," while "a flawless, sterling 

 sapphire brings its wearer strength, fame, and length of days," and 

 "the man who wears a sapphire of spotless chastity linds favor with 

 Mirayami^^ and acquires longevity, family dignity, fame, understand- 

 ing, and wealth." 



' The Horse Sacrifice, a (celebrated ceremony, the antiquity of which dates back to 

 the Vedic 2>eriod. 

 '^The preserver of the Hindu Triad. 

 NAT >ri-; 1 ;»(>(! 40 



