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PRECIOUS STONES.
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seen
thereof : it becomes much more intense when making the second
trituration ; and still more so during the third. An electric light is
readily perceived ; and the crackling of a multitude of little, sparks
may be heard." " Nature and history furnish many proofs that very small
bodies may after this fashion produce powerful effects. The greatest
philosophers believe in the infinitely small." Furthermore, is it
chimerical to suppose that the sublimated salutary qualities kept
packed with almost supernatural closeness within the hard crystallised
compass of a gem can be liberated, for good, or bad ends, by certain
insensible, but none the less actual, processes
As
already stated, the Diamond reflects light most strongly. Because of
this property (which is similarly possessed by fatty, and unctuous
bodies), Sir Isaac Newton supposed that the Diamond might really be "an
unctuous. substance coagulated." It is moreover probable that Diamonds
are of vegetable origin, since, when they are burnt,—at a very high
temperature,— carbonic di-oxide is produced. Seeing, likewise, that
Diamonds are found in the sands, and gravel, of certain localities,
these stones may then be from a meteoric source, and have dropped from
the skies in such shape, being literally, " a gift from heaven."
Diamonds, according to the older writers, are the distinctive talisman
for Saturday (Saturn's day), because they are produced from the black
Carbon of Saturn.
The
first Diamond necklace made in Europe was given by Charles of France to
Agnes Sorel, and was called a " carcanet,"—(an iron collar),—because
the sharp edges of the gem hurt the neck of the favourite. So hard is
the Diamond in its texture that it must be
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