the Identity of Gems. 219
"Doublets"
are frequently sold by the Cingalese at Colombo to Europeans, and to
the passengers by the Peninsular and Oriental steamers; sometimes blue
glass, cut into facets, and sent there from Birmingham and Paris, are
palmed off for the real stones.
Persons
residing in countries producing precious stones may find these hints of
service, and, if attended to, prevent their incurring expense in
sending home worthless pebbles, with the mistaken idea that they are
valuable gems. In one instance, a man actually left his business, and,
at a very considerable expense, came to this country to sell a quantity
of stones, which he was assured were diamonds; but which, on examination, proved to be ' nova minas,' or nodules of rock-crystal.
In
the case of pearls, which are frequently imitated with marvellous
skill, it will be seen that false pearls are much lighter than real
ones; that generally the former are brittle (although some are made
solid, of fish-scales, and do not break so easily); and the holes,
which in the real pearl are drilled very small, and have a sharp edge,
in the false are larger, and have a blunt edge.
In
concluding these hints on the identity of gems, the author would remark
that to no honest and respectÂable jewel merchant can the publication
of such facts prove prejudicial; on the contrary, he is convinced that
the more the public are enabled to test by their senses, or such simple
means as may be readily available, the truth of statements made to
them, the more will their appreciation of jewels increase.
