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140 PRECIOUS STONES.
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defect.
The Ruby as a Gem is likewise of more value than the Diamond. In the
Book of Proverbs ("' the words of King Lemuel : the prophecy that his
mother taught him ") a virtuous woman is described as '; of price far above Rubies."
How
the heart of her husband doth safely trust in her always ;
How all the days of her life she will do him good, and not evil; How she seeketh the wool, and the flax, and worketh with gladness ; How she layeth her hand to the spindle, and holdeth the distaff ; How she is not afraid of the snow for herself, or her household ; Knowing her household are clothed with the scarlet cloth of
her weaving."
Both
a Ruby, and a Sapphire, of the same size as a Diamond, would
respectively be worth considerably more. The Ruby was formerly set with
the blue part of a peacock's feather beneath it, instead of foil. The
Ruby, Sapphire, and Oriental Topaz are properly Corundurns : which name
is of Indian origin, as derived from the Sanskrit " korund," applied to
opaque massive Gems, generally of a dull colour. The first, and most
important variety of Corundum is the Ruby, or Red Sapphire : this being
the most valuable of all Gems when of large size, of good colour, and
free from flaw. The Corundurns, which vary in colour, and optical
properties, are identical in composition, consisting principally of
crystallised Alumina (the oxide of the metal Aluminium). The Ruby is
coloured by traces of other metallic oxides, chrome, etc, but it does
not contain silica, and its lustre is vitreous. The colour of the Ruby
varies from the lightest rose tint to the deepest carmine. If of too
dark, or too light a shade, the stones are not esteemed. The most
valuable tint is that particular shade called by jewellers " Pigeon's
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