upon
it occasionally, and that the water in which the stone stood would cure
inflammation of those organs. Another notion was that the emerald would
reveal the inconstancy of lovers by changing color.
" It is a gem that hath the power to show
If plighted lovers keep their troth or no;
If faithful, it is like the leaves of spring;
If faithless, like those leaves when withering."
Another belief was that the emerald would blind the eyes of the serpent, a fancy referred to in Moore's lines:
" Blinded like serpents when they gaze Upon the emerald's virgin blaze."
The
emerald was also the symbol of immortality and of conquered sin and
trial. It was believed that emeralds came from the home of the griffin,
and that to obtain them thence exposed the miner to great danger.
As
late as the seventeenth century powdered emerald was widely used as a
drug, being regarded when taken internally as a powerful remedy for
dysentery, epilepsy, venomous bites, and fevers.
Like
all other gems, the value of emeralds varies much according to their
perfection. Those of the best grade are worth from $100 to $1,000 a
carat. The passion for emeralds at the present time, together with the
fact that very few are being found, makes them among the most costly of
gems. A three-carat emerald recently sold for $875, and a six-carat
stone for $4,000. A six-carat diamond might not be worth over $1,000 at
present. The color should be a dark velvety green, those of lighter
shades being much less valuable. Owing to the extreme brittleness of
the mineral, emeralds usually contain flaws, so that " an emerald
without a flaw " has passed into a proverb to indicate a thing almost
unattainable.
The
largest and most beautiful emerald known to be in existence at the
present time is one owned by the Duke of Devonshire. This is an uncut,
six-sided crystal, about two inches long, and of the same diameter. It
is of perfect color, almost flawless, and quite transparent.
Aquamarines
and other beryls are found in Siberia, India, Brazil, and in many
localities in the United States. Pieces suitable for cutting are quite
frequently found, and the cut stones are much lower in price tlian the
emerald. Large stones are frequently obtained. Dana mentions an
aquamarine from Brazil which approaches in size, and also in form, the
head of a calf. It weighs 225 ounces troy, is transparent, and without
a flaw. In the Field Columbian Museum is to be seen a beautiful cut
aquamarine from Siberia more than two inches in diameter,
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