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Ch. 14: Emerald, Aquamarine, Beryl

Ch. 14: Emerald, Aquamarine, Beryl Page of 401 Ch. 14: Emerald, Aquamarine, Beryl Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
272
PRECIOUS STONES.
of this emperor, though the Etruscans, at a very early date,
■engraved this gem with scarabei.
Three engraved emeralds of antique workmanship belong to
the Fould collection in Paris. The Devonshire parure has one,
with a Gorgon's head in high relief ; and an amulet formerly
comprised among the Praun gems bears the head of Jupiter,
with a serpent and crocodile, surrounded by the emblems of the
planets. The last-named collection includes a Gnostic legend,
containing several lines, cut on emerald. Engraved gems of
this kind of precious stone were supposed to be endowed
with remarkable mystic powers, and on that account were
employed for amulets. Those with the representation of the
eagle or the beetle were thought to be powerful agents in
conciliating royal favor. A jewel engraved with the name of
the Emperor Jehangir, and used as a signet, consisted of two
emerald drops and two collets of rose diamonds with ruby
borders, mounted in oriental fashion. It was presented to the
East India Company by Shah Soojah, and purchased by Lord
Auckland when Governor-General of India, and is owned at
present, it is said, by the Hon. Miss Eden. Another remarkable engraving, representing the heads of the Apostles Peter
and Paul, and Pope Benedict, was executed on a large table
emerald, by one of the Costanzi.
There is unequivocal evidence that the ancients were well
acquainted with the emerald, notwithstanding the attempts
which have been made to prove they were not known to the
Eastern world before the discovery of the Western continent.
No emerald-mines, it has been said, are known in India, yet it
was used by the natives for ornament ; and, reasoning from
these premises, Tavernier concluded they must have been
introduced from America. There is, however, no doubt that
the emerald was known both in Asia and Europe long before
Ch. 14: Emerald, Aquamarine, Beryl Page of 401 Ch. 14: Emerald, Aquamarine, Beryl
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