with a lance or other weapon. He is, indeed, always
armed and at times mounted on a horse. Gives victory,
boldness in war, and success in everything, especially if
engraved on an appropriate stone.
SUN. Sometimes as the solar disk with rays, sometimes as a man
in a chariot, and this occasionally is surrounded by the
signs of the zodiac. Renders the wearer powerful and a
victor; this gem is prized by hunters.
VENUS. Many forms, among them that of a woman with a voluminous
dress and a stole, holding a laurel in her hand. Gives
skill in handling affairs and usually brings them to a
successful issue; removes the fear of drowning.
MERCURY. Figure of a slender man, usually with a beautiful beard,
but sometimes without. He has winged feet and holds the
caduceus. Increases knowledge and confers eloquence. It
aids merchants, enabling them to acquire wealth.
MOON. Various forms. Sometimes as a crescent, sometimes as a
young woman in a chariot and holding a quiver, and at
others as a woman with a quiver and following the chase
with dogs. Aids the fortunes of those who are sent on an
embassy, and enables them to acquire wealth and honor
thereby. Is said to confer speed and facility in
undertakings and a happy issue.[460]
When Hudibras attacked and overcame the sorcerer Sidrophal, he rifled
the latter’s pockets of all his mystic treasures. Among these were
Several constellation stones,
Engraved in planetary hours,
That over mortals had strange powers,
To make them thrive in law or trade,
And stab or poison to evade,
In wit and wisdom to improve,
And be victorious in love.[461]
These manifold influences exerted by the stars and planets through
the medium of the gems, not only concerned those actually present
in a material form, but also those that were seen in dreams, and
interpretations of such dreams are given by old writers.
[Illustration: STATUETTE KNOWN AS THAT OF SAINTE FOY, IN THE
ABBEY-CHURCH AT CONQUES, DEPT. AVEYRON, FRANCE.
It is studded with precious and semi-precious stones and engraved gems,
dating from various epochs, the pious offerings of those whose prayers
have been answered. The figure is 85 cm. (33½ inches) high and is
of gold in a core of wood. Probably of the tenth century. Two of the
four crystal balls adorning the seat are said to replace golden doves.
Rock-crystal was especially dedicated to the moon.]
Many Oneirocritica, or “dream-books,” were written or compiled in the
early centuries of our era, one of the most noted being the work of
Artemidorus, who flourished in the second century A.D. Every object
seen in a dream was given a special meaning, and it is interesting to
note that Artemidorus believed dreams of rings or other ornaments,
as well as of precious stones, to be of favorable significance only
for women. Such dreams indicated marriage for unmarried women, and
the birth of children for those already married. If a woman was
both wife and mother when she saw sparkling jewels in her dream, then
the vision portended the acquisition of great wealth. Artemidorus
here sagely remarks that women are by nature devoted to riches and
passionately fond of ornaments. For men, on the other hand, to dream of
jewels was an ill omen; probably because it foreshadowed the necessity
of buying them for a good friend or a faithful wife.[462]
Another of these dream-books, probably composed in the eighth century
A.D., appears under the name of Achametis and is of Arabic origin. Many
of the interpretations in this book are referred to a Hindu source,
and among these are visions of crowns that appear to kings. Such a
dream, in itself, usually portended increased power and success for
the sovereign, but this depended upon the color and character of the
jewels which adorned the crown. For example, we read that if the gems
were red and of the kind known as lychnites (carbuncles or rubies), the
dream indicated that the king would have great joy and good fortune and
would be more feared by his enemies than before; but if he saw blue
gems in the crown, it was a bad omen, foreshadowing the loss of part
of his kingdom. If the stones were of a light green hue (the color of
the leek), the king would gain a great name in the world, both by his
good faith and by the greatness of his kingdom; for, the writer adds,
“this color in precious stones is universally accepted as signifying
good-faith and religious devotion to God.”[463]
There is signified by dreaming of
Agates A journey.
Amber A voyage
Amethysts Freedom from harm.
Aquamarines New friends.
Beryls Happiness in store.
Bloodstones Distressing news.
Carbuncles Acquirement of wisdom.
Carnelians Impending misfortune.
Cat’s-eyes Treachery.
Chalcedony Friends rejoined.
Chrysoberyls A time of need.
Chrysolites Necessary caution.
Coral Recovery from illness.
Crystal Freedom from enemies.
Diamonds Victory over enemies.
Emeralds Much to look forward to.
Garnets The solution of a mystery.
Heliotropes Long life.
Hyacinths A heavy storm.
Jacinths Success.
Jasper Love returned.
Jet Sorrow.
Lapis-lazuli Faithful love.
Moonstones Impending danger.
Moss-agates An unsuccessful journey.
Onyx A happy marriage.
Opals Great possessions.
Pearls Faithful friends.
Porphyry Death.
Rubies Unexpected guests.
Sapphires Escape from danger.
Sardonyx Love of friends.
Topaz No harm shall befall.
Tourmalines An accident.
Turquoises Prosperity.
If precious stones be so combined in a ring, or other jewel that the
initial letters of their names spell words significant of a tender
sentiment or implying good fortune, or else the name of someone dear
to the giver of the jewel, this is also supposed to strengthen their
astral or planetary influence and to render them more potent charms.
In the following examples the gems in the first column are the more
expensive, those in the second column being comparatively inexpensive
ones.
ACROSTICS FORMED WITH STONES
In France and England, during the 18th century, rings, bracelets,
brooches, etc., were often set with gems the first letters of which,
combined, formed a motto or expressed a sentiment. The following is
a list of those that may be used in this way. The choice of stones
afforded here brings these pretty devices within the reach of all.
FAITH
Fire-opal. Feldspar.
Alexandrite. Amethyst.
Iolite. Idocrase.
Tourmaline. Topaz.
Hyacinth. Heliotrope.
HOPE
Hyacinth. Hematite.
Opal. Olivine.
Pearl. Pyrope.
Emerald. Essonite.
CHARITY
Cat’s-eye. Carbuncle.
Hyacinth. Hematite.
Aquamarine. Amethyst.
Ruby. Rose quartz.
Iolite. Idocrase.
Tourmaline. Topaz.
Yellow sapphire. Yu (Jade).
GOOD LUCK
Golden beryl. Garnet.
Opal. Onyx.
Olivine. Obsidian.
Diamond. Dendrite.
Lapis-lazuli. Labradorite.
Uralian emerald. Unio pearl.
Cat’s-eye. Carnelian.
Kunzite. Krokidolite.
FOREVER
Fire-opal. Flèches d’amour.
Opal. Onyx.
Ruby. Rutile.
Emerald. Essonite.
Vermeille. Verd antique.
Essonite. Epidote.
Rubellite. Rose quartz.
REGARD
Ruby. Rubellite.
Emerald. Essonite.
Garnet. Garnet.
Alexandrite. Amethyst.
Ruby. Rock-crystal.
Diamond. Demantoid.
_ZES_
Greek, meaning “Mayest thou live.”
Zircon. Zonochlorite.
Emerald. Essonite.
Sapphire. Sard.
MIZPAH
Moonstone. Moldavite.
Indicolite. Idocrase.
Zircon. Zonochlorite.
Peridot. Pyrope.
Asteria. Aquamarine.
Hyacinth. Hematite.
FRIENDSHIP
Flèches d’amour. Feldspar.
Ruby. Rock crystal.
Indicolite. Idocrase.
Emerald. Epidote.
Nephrite. Nicolo.
Diamond. Diopside.
Sapphire. Sard.
Hyacinth. Hematite.
Iolite. Idocrase.
Pearl. Pyrite.
DEAREST
Diamond. Demantoid.
Emerald. Essonite.
Alexandrite. Amethyst.
Ruby. Rubellite.
Essonite. Epidote.
Sapphire. Spinel.
Turquoise. Topaz.
SOUVENIR
Sapphire. Sunstone.
Opal. Onyx.
Uralian emerald. Utahlite.
Vermeille. Verd antique.
Emerald. Epidote.
Nephrite. Nephrite.
Iolite. Indicolite.
Ruby. Rock-crystal.
BONHEUR
Beryl. Bloodstone.
Opal. Onyx.
Nephrite. Nephrite.
Hyacinth. Hematite.
Emerald. Essonite.
Uralian emerald. Utahlite.
Ruby. Rhodonite.
AMITIÉ
Alexandrite. Almandine.
Moonstone. Moonstone.
Indicolite. Indicolite.
Tourmaline. Topaz.
Idocrase. Idocrase.
Emerald. Essonite.
LOVE ME
Lapis-lazuli. Labrador spar.
Opal. Onyx.
Vermeille. Verd antique.
Emerald. Essonite.
Moonstone. Moonstone.
Essonite. Epidote.
_AEI_
Greek, meaning “forever,” “eternity.”
Alexandrite. Almandine.
Emerald. Essonite.
Indicolite. Idocrase.
An attractive engagement ring can be formed of a central diamond from
which extend the rays of a five-pointed star. Between the rays are set
the stones emblematic of the zodiacal sign, of the guardian angel of
the month, of the planet control of the hour and also the two stones
indicating the initial letter of the two Christian names. This ring is
in the form of the mystic Pentagon, the grand symbol of constancy and
durability, since the number five is composed of three, which signifies
creative power, and two, which typifies the balance, that is, stability.
As, according to the old fancy, the influences due to the light
emanations from the planets or fixed stars, or from the combination
of the stars in a zodiacal sign, would have a peculiar and more or
less intimate connection with the fate of one country rather than of
another, an attempt is here made to give a characteristic stone for
each country. In the case of the United States the various gem-stones
found within the boundaries of each of the States of the Union are
given. That this special influence was exceptionally potent in regard
to those born in the countries in question was also taught and hence a
national gem would have a greater talismanic power than any other for
the natives of each separate country. For those who may feel a certain
degree of sympathy for time-honored fancies, and who may perhaps
also have a trace of superstition hidden away in some part of their
consciousness, one of our State gems would have a similar significance.
GEMS OF COUNTRIES
Alaska Garnet
Algiers Coral
Arabia Pearl
Austria-Hungary Opal
Belgium Crystal
Bohemia Garnet
Bokhara Lapis-lazuli
Bolivia Lapis-lazuli
Brazil Tourmaline (Brazilian emerald)
Burma Ruby
Canada Sodalite
Ceylon Cat’s-eye
Chili Lapis-lazuli
China Jade
Congo Dioptase
Denmark Agate
Egypt Peridot
England Diamond
France Pearl
Germany Amber
German West Africa Diamond
Greece Sapphire
Holland Diamond
Hungary Opal
India Pearl
Ireland Precious serpentine (Connemara)
Italy Coral
Japan Rock-crystal
Korea Abalone pearl
Madagascar Morganite
Mexico Obsidian
Morocco Coral
New England Tourmaline
New South Wales Opal
New Zealand Jade
Norway-Sweden Carnelian
Panama Agate
Persia Turquoise
Peru Emerald
Philippines Pearl
Portugal Chrysoberyl
Roumania Amber
Russia Rhodonite
Sandwich Islands Olivine
Scotland Cairngorm (smoky quartz)
Servia Coral
Siam Ruby
Sicily Amber
South Africa Diamond
Spain Emerald
Switzerland Rock-crystal
Turkestan Jade
Turkey Turquoise
United States Sapphire
Uruguay Amethyst
UNITED STATES STONES
Precious, semi-precious, or gem stones are found in nearly every State
of the Union. The most important are enumerated below:
_Alabama_ Beryl, blue and yellow; smoky quartz.
_Arizona_ Agatized wood, azur-malachite, turquoise, garnet,
peridot.
_Arkansas_ Rock-crystal, smoky quartz, agate, diamond,
novaculite.
_California_ Agate, benitoite, californite, diamond, gold
quartz, tourmaline, abalone pearl, chrysoprase,
kunzite, morganite.
_Colorado_ Beryl, aquamarine, phenacite, garnet, amethyst,
agate, gold quartz, pyrite.
_Connecticut_ Beryl, yellow and green; rose quartz, tourmaline
_Delaware_ Pearl.
_Florida_ Chalcedony, conch pearl.
_Georgia_ Ruby, beryl, amethyst, gold quartz, garnet.
_Idaho_ Opal, agate, obsidian.
_Illinois_ Fluorite, pearl.
_Indian Territory_ Obsidian, pearl.
_Indiana_ Pearl.
_Iowa_ Fossil coral, pearl, chalcedony.
_Kansas_ Chalcedony.
_Kentucky_ Pearl.
_Louisiana_ Chalcedony.
_Maine_ Tourmaline, beryl, rose quartz, pearl, topaz,
amazonite, smoky quartz, rock-crystal.
_Maryland_ Beryl, clam-pearl.
_Massachusetts_ Beryl.
_Michigan_ Agate, hematite.
_Minnesota_ Chlorastrolite, thomsonite, agate.
_Mississippi_ Pearl, chalcedony.
_Missouri_ Pearl, fluorite, pyrite.
_Montana_ Sapphire, beryl, smoky quartz, agate, amethyst,
agatized wood, obsidian.
_Nebraska_ Chalcedony, pearl.
_Nevada_ Gold quartz, rock-crystal.
_New Hampshire_ Beryl, rock-crystal, garnet.
_New Jersey_ Fowlerite, willemite, prehnite, smoky quartz,
agate, pearl.
_New Mexico_ Turquoise, garnet, obsidian, peridot, rock-crystal.
_New York_ Beryl, brown tourmaline, rose quartz, fresh-water
pearl, clam-pearl, chondrodite.
_North Carolina_ Aquamarine, beryl, emerald, almandite garnet,
rhodolite, prope garnet, diamond, cyanite,
hiddenite, amethyst, ruby, sapphire, smoky quartz,
rock-crystal, rutile.
_North Dakota_ Chalcedony, agate.
_Ohio_ Fossil coral, chalcedony.
_Oregon_ Agate, obsidian, hydrolite.
_Pennsylvania_ Amethyst, beryl, sunstone, moonstone, amazonite,
almandite garnet, pyrope garnet, rutile.
_Rhode Island_ Hornblende in quartz, amethyst, rock-crystal.
_South Carolina_ Beryl, smoky quartz, rock-crystal.
_South Dakota_ Quartzite, beryl, agate.
_Tennessee_ Pearl.
_Texas_ Beryl, pearl, tourmaline.
_Utah_ Topaz, garnet.
_Virginia_ Amethyst, spessarite, garnet, beryl, moonstone,
staurolite, allanite.
_Vermont_ Beryl, pearl.
_Washington_ Pearl, agate.
_West Virginia_ Rock-crystal.
_Wisconsin_ Agate, pearl.
_Wyoming_ Moss-agate, agate.
XI
On the Therapeutic Use of Precious and Semi-Precious Stones
The medicinal use of precious stones may be traced back to very ancient
times. It has been conjectured that their employment for such purposes
was introduced to Europe from India, whence many of the stones were
derived. Nevertheless, the earliest evidence we have rather points to
Egypt as the source, and, indeed, it appears that in early Egyptian
times the chemical constituents of the stones were much more rationally
considered than at a later period in Europe. The Ebers Papyrus,
for instance, recommends the use of certain astringent substances,
such as lapis-lazuli, as ingredients of eye-salves, and hematite,
an iron oxide, was used for checking hemorrhages and for reducing
inflammations. Little by little, however, superstition associated
certain special virtues with the color and quality of precious stones,
and their virtues were thought to be greatly enhanced by engraving on
them the image of some god, or of some object symbolizing certain of
the activities of nature. Later still, the science of astrology, most
highly developed in Assyria and Babylonia, was brought into combination
with the various superstitions above indicated, so that the image was
believed to have much greater efficacy if the engraving were executed
when the sun was in a certain constellation or when the moon or some
one of the planets was in the ascendant at the time.
If we exclude certain fragmentary notices in Egyptian
literature—notably the statements in the Ebers Papyrus—and the very
uncertain sources in Hindu literature, the earliest authority for
this branch of the subject is the Natural History of Pliny. In this
connection, however, it is only just to call attention to a fact which
has been often ignored—namely, that Pliny himself had very little
faith in the teachings of the “magi,” as he calls them, in regard to
the superstitious use of gems for the prevention or cure of diseases;
indeed, he seems to have been almost as sceptical in his attitude as
many modern writers, for certain quite recent authorities still credit
amber and a few other mineral substances with therapeutic effects other
than those which can be explained by the known action of their chemical
constituents. Still, Pliny yielded so far to the taste of his time as
to preserve for us many of the statements of earlier writers on the
subject, naming them in most cases and so enabling us to form some idea
of the character of this pseudo-science in the Roman world in the first
century of our era. With the gradual decay of ancient learning, the
less valuable elements of popular belief came more and more into the
foreground, and the old superstitions were freely copied by successive
authors, each of whom felt called upon to add something new on his own
account. This explains much of the confusion that reigns in regard
to the attribution of special virtues to the different stones, for
the wider the reading of the author the greater became the number of
virtues attributed to each separate stone, until, at last, we might
almost say that each and every precious stone could be used for the
cure of all diseases. Nevertheless, it is comparatively easy to see
that either the color or constitution of the stone originally indicated
its use for this or that disease.
[Illustration: INSCRIPTION ON A SMALL PIECE OF LIMESTONE, IN CURSIVE
EGYPTIAN WRITING.
It dates from about 1600 B.C., the period of the Ebers Papyrus, and
gives directions for preparing certain remedies from precious stones.
While the interpretation of this text offers considerable difficulty,
one version finds in it the statement that lapis-lazuli—the “sapphire”
of the ancients—was used for the wealthy, and malachite for those of
limited means. Professor Oefele conjectures that the disease to be
treated was hysteria. Munch Collection, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New
York.]
A distinction is often made between the talismanic qualities of
precious stones for the cure or prevention of disease and the properly
medicinal use of them as mineral substances. In the former case the
effect was attained by merely wearing them on the person, while in the
latter case they were reduced to a powder, which was dissolved as far
as possible in water or some other liquid and then taken internally.
As, however, the end to be attained is the same whether the stone be
worn or taken internally as a powder or liquid, it seems more logical
to treat of both these methods of therapeutic use together, reserving
for the chapter on the talismanic use of gems only their employment
to avert misfortunes other than those caused by disease, and their
influence in the procuring of wealth, honors, and happiness for their
wearers.
The belief in the curative properties of precious stones was at one
time universal among all those to whom gems were known. When we read
to-day of the various ills that were supposed to be cured by the use of
these gems, we find it difficult to understand what process of thought
could have suggested the idea of employing such ineffectual remedies.
It is true that the constituents of certain stones can be absorbed by
the human body and have a definite effect upon it, but the greater part
of the elements are so combined that they cannot be assimilated, and
they pass through the system without producing any apparent effect.
In ancient and medieval times, however, other than chemical agencies
were supposed to be efficient in the cure of diseases, and the
primitive animistic conception of the cause of illness, and hence of
the therapeutics of disease, long held sway among those who practised
the medical art. Remedies were prized because of their rarity, and also
because it was believed that certain spiritual or planetary influences
had aided in their production and were latent in them. Besides this,
the symbolism of color played a very important part in recommending
the use of particular stones for special diseases. This may be noted
in the case of the red or reddish stones, such as the ruby, spinel,
garnet, carnelian, bloodstone, etc. These were thought to be sovereign
remedies for hemorrhages of all kinds, as well as for all inflammatory
diseases; they were also believed to exercise a calming influence and
to remove anger and discord. The red hue of these stones was supposed
to indicate their fitness for such use, upon the principle _similia
similibus curantur_. In the same way yellow stones were prescribed for
the cure of bilious disorders, for jaundice in all its forms and for
other diseases of the liver.
The use of green stones to relieve diseases of the eye was evidently
suggested by the beneficial influence exerted by this color upon the
sight. The verdant emerald represented the beautiful green fields, upon
which the tired eye rests so willingly, and which exert such a soothing
influence upon the sight when it has been unduly strained or fatigued.
One of the earliest, probably the very earliest reference in Greek
writings to the therapeutic value of gems, appears in the works of
Theophrastus, who wrote in the third century before Christ. Here we are
told of the beneficial effect exercised by the emerald upon the eyes.
[Illustration: 1. Necklace of carnelian beads. Persian. The decoration
is made with carbonate of lime and fixed by firing. Charms against the
Evil Eye.
2. Necklace of onyx beads. Early Christian.]
The sapphire, the lapis-lazuli, and other blue stones, with a hue
resembling the blue of the heavens, were believed to exert a tonic
influence, and were supposed to counteract the wiles of the spirits
of darkness and procure the aid and favor of the spirits of light and
wisdom. These gems were usually looked upon as emblems of chastity,
and for this reason the sapphire came to be regarded as especially
appropriate for use in ecclesiastical rings. Among purple stones,
the amethyst is particularly noteworthy. The well-known belief that
this gem counteracted the effects of undue indulgence in intoxicating
beverages is indicated by its name, derived from μεθύω—“to be
intoxicated,” and the privative α, the name thus signifying the
“sobering” gem. It is not unlikely that a fancied resemblance between
the prevailing hue of these stones and that of certain kinds of wine
first gave rise to the name and to the idea of the peculiar virtues of
the amethyst.
We have mentioned only a few of the more obvious analogies suggested
by the color of gems, and we might be tempted to cite many others were
it not that symbolism is always treacherous ground, since there is
practically no limit to the correspondences that may be found between
sensuous impressions and ideas.
One great difficulty which besets any one who is trying to find a clue
to guide him through the labyrinth of the medical affinities of gems is
the fact that there was, from an early period, a tendency to attribute
the virtues of one gem to another, probably owing to the commercial
instinct which urged the dealer to praise his wares in every possible
way, so that no part of his stock should fail to find a purchaser. This
tendency is especially marked in the old Hindu Lapidaries, wherein
it is almost impossible to find any differentiation of the stones in
respect to their curative or talismanic virtues. Only the condition and
perfection of the gems are made the criterion of their worth. Any given
stone, if perfect, was a source of all blessings to the wearer and
possessed all remedial powers, while a defective stone, or one lacking
the proper lustre or color, was destined to be a source of untold
misfortune to the owner.