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GEMS IN CEYLON.
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then exposed
to a strong heat. The operation is repeated until the whole of the blue
tinge is removed. But care should be taken to subject only such stones
as are perfectly free from cracks to this, for one with cracks, if
subjected to heat, is said to crumble down in pieces. Ths stone, the
beautiful colour of which is so well known, is prized alike among
Europeans and Asiatics.
The next stone of value is the Sapphire. ("Nila" Sinhalese). It is perhaps the most plentifully disseminated (if
the word be correct) of the gem tribe in the district.—Like its
congeners, it is seldom found without blemish, and of the proper
colour, though, it has frequently been discovered in largish pieces. It
is the next in value to the ruby, that variety called "Tudra A'ecla" being
reckoned the best by the Sinhalese. In this sort there is a slight
shadow of ruby-red as it were mixed up with blue. One of this variety,
of an extraordinary size and purity, was found some time ago within a
few miles of Ratnapura, giving origin to great litigation among the
people in whose land it was found. It is said to have changed hands,
and to be now in the possession of a wealthy Moorman of Colombo who
has refused the offer of ,£4,500 for the purchase of it. One has lately
been found in a new ijem field close to Ratnapura of a smaller
size, but of better colour as is said, than the one above described.
The sapphire, the blue colour of which is so much admired, is equally
valued by Europeans and natives.
The Topaz (puspa. yaga, Sinhalese)
claims notice next. There are two varieties of it: the " ratu puspa
raga" and "kaha puspa raga." The former is of a bright yellow colour,
with a reddish tinge and is the more valued. The latter is pure bright
yellow. The first variety is scarce, and the second is comparatively
plentiful. The topaz and the sapphire seem to be species of the same
stone differing only in colour—it is not unfrequcnt to find a piece of
stone partly yellow and partly blue. This stone is not much sought
after by Europeans, but it is prized among the Sinhalese. It is said to
sell well at the Presidencies of India and in Arabia.
The
Cat's-eye ("Vyrody," Sinhalese) as has already been noticed, is a
toramally with a proper degree of " coovangoo" in it, now denominated
the " pasanama" producing a movable, bright, white streak in it when
properly cut and polished—so that a description of the cat's-eye is in
fact one of the toramally. There are three varieties of the toramally,
the " kanaka,,' " palla," and the "panny" toramally. The two first
varieties when they have the pasanama, produce the cat's-eye (vyrody)
the first being the superior sort. The "panny toramally" has seldom the
coovangoo or pasanama in it, at least such a specimen has never been
seen by the writer. The " kanaka " sort is distinguished by a light
green colour with a golden gloss, having the white movable streak in
it. The " palla " presents a deep green ground with the streak in it.
The " panny" variety, which perhaps never produces a vyrody, is of a
dull syruppy colour as the name indicates, panny meaning syrup. The
cat's-eye though not much regarded by the Europeans, is much prized by
Asiatics, particularly by the Malays, who it is said, give high prices
for such as present more than one streak of white, of which it is said
rare specimens have been met with. There is a variety of cat's-eye
called " barawa vyrody." It is a prefectly black stone with a movable
[shifting] streak in it. Of this sort the writer has seen several
specimens.
The
Fink-ruby (" patmaraga " Singh.) is a beautiful stone and seldom met
with. It is by some prized equally with the ruby. It is of a light ruby
colour with a strong dash of a pink in it. This is likewise rarely
found without blemish. It sells well when defectless, both among
Europeans and Asiatics.
The
last stone bearing the name precious, is the Green-crystal (" nil
palingu " Sinhalese) from its sea-green colour: it is commonly known as
the Aqua Marina. It is seldom found large or defectless, though
the other varieties of which there are two are found in large lumps.
These latter, the yellow and the white
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