favoured
by some women who are well known in Society ; Mary, Lady Gerard, is
seldom seen without a bracelet of this Stone, which is the birth-stone
dedicated to September; as also is the Chrysolite, contributing
prudence, and preserving from folly. Mrs. Brown Potter was born in May,
the Emerald month. She wears, for luck, an Emerald ring, and often an
Emerald necklace. To " love, and to be successful in love," are the
privileges secured by the wearers of this precious Stone.
Because they are a relic of Orientalism, stones set en Gabochon (not
cut, but only polished) are in high favour nowadays with the Russian
Royal Family. The Czar, Czarina, and the Duchess of Saxe-Coburg Gotha,
make a point of giving Gabochon stones when sending presents to
their friends. Those persons who admire such settings find these
Russian Sapphires, and Rubies, with their gleaming uncut polish,
incomparable. It was our King Edward, with Queen Alexandra, who started
the fashion of getting old Jewels re-set after this fashion.
In
the matter of Crown Jewels nowhere are there so many fine stones to be
seen as in St. James's Palace ; and there, the Diamond reigns supreme.
Again, the Georgian Sapphire wdiich was placed in the front of the
bandeau supporting King Edward's Crown is the largest in the world.
Queen Alexandra always makes the great Koh-i-noor Diamond (which
belonged before the Indian Mutiny to Maharajah Dhuleep Singh, deposed,)
her principal ornament at all the Courts, following in this the example
of the late Queen Victoria. It was set for the Coronation in the front
of Queen Alexandra's Crown; which was formed exclusively of
