but
when crystallized, is the hardest known substance, pure as the limpid
stream, and shining with the greatest brilliancy when cut and polished;
whilst the amorphous variety, carbonate, although of precisely
the same composition, and of nearly equal specific gravity, is black
and lustreless, and is degraded to the purpose of cutting and polishing
other gems. Again, the emerald is composed of identically the same
substances as the beryl, minus the required colouring matter; yet the
emerald commands a large price, and the beryl is comparatively
valueless. The amethyst and rock-crystal are exactly the same
substance, except that one is white and the other coloured; the
amethyst, when of fine quality, has considerable value, rock-crystal
very little. The oriental topaz and the ruby are the same stones, but
of different colour; yet the value of the ruby surpasses that of the
topaz a hundredfold.
In
fact, precious stones must not only have the desired colour, but the
exact hue and shade in demand to obtain the extreme value. No matter
how brilliant the ruby, or how free from defects and flaws, it must
have the precise pigeon s-blood-red to make it the gem which surpasses
the diamond in value.
Almost
all gems conceal their true beauties in a natural state. The diamond in
the rough la most unattractive, and would be thrown away by a casual
observer as a worthless pebble; its perfections are hidden under a hard
crust, which can only be removed by its own powder. The deep velvety
hue of the sap-
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