Practical Remarks on Gems. 63 



tates, — from the modest pin, to the ducal coronet, and impe- 

 rial crown. It is well adapted for seal engraving, and on it 

 coats of arms, crests, cyphers, &c. appear to great advantage. 

 There are said to be in many of the European museums, some 

 very fine cameos and intaglios, which have been cut on this 

 stone. It forms a pretty connecting link between the pink topaz 

 and the deep rich maroon of the carbuncle. Sunlight and heat 

 are very itijurious to its beauty, by causing it to fade,, appa- 

 rently extracting its color, and diminishing its lustre, as ex- 

 posure for any length of time in a window has fully proved. 

 This stone too is mentioned in Scripture, and was appointed in 

 Exodus for the ninth stone or third in the third row of the high- 

 priest's breastplate. It is also frequently required for the making 

 up of posy or acrostic jewelry, as it is called. In England, when 

 making a present of a ring or brooch, they have a delicate way 

 of expressing a sentiment, that of arranging the stones in setting, 

 so as to spell a word, a name, or a sentence ; for example, the 

 initial letters of the following stones when combined will form 

 the word regard. 



Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby, Diamond. 



This together with some word or name, is made up into a 

 half-hoop finger ring. When a sentence is desired, the stones 

 are either set entirely round the finger, or a large centre stone or 

 glass for the hair, or for a breast pin. 



The imitations of this stone are so perfect as readily to deceive ; 

 but upon close examination small globules of confined air can be 

 readily perceived ; the best method for the unpractised is to have 

 recourse to the file ; this is at all times the only unerring test, all 

 imitations of gems being scratched by that instrument. 



3. Cawn-gorm, (Citrine, Yellow Crystal or Quartz, Bohe- 

 mian Topaz, Sf'c.) This is one of the beautiful inferior gems, 

 passing insensibly from a pale straw to a bright yellow and deep 

 orange color, and is held in much esteem on account perhaps of 

 its close resemblance to the topaz ; it however possesses a suffi- 

 cient individuality whereby one of small experience in these mat- 

 ters may be able to distinguish the difference. It rarely or never 

 exhibits the delicate though rich tinge of fawn or buff, which is 

 the general characteristic of this gem. It is very transparent, and 

 in constant demand for seals, cane tops, ear rings, breast pins, finger 



