stones
are strangely susceptible to the personality of those persons who wear
them; some stones being deemed lucky, and others malevolent. A stone
must, therefore, be actually treated with affection, regarded as a
sentient being, if its colour, and lustre are to be maintained, or
improved. For instance, the Turquoise is thought to be wonderfully
sensitive in this way. It will grow pale when its owner is sick, will
entirely lose colour when the wearer dies, and will, as already told,
recover this gradually when placed on the finger of a new and healthy
person, the colour deepening every day. But if the Turquoise turns
green upon any individual, such person ought not to wear this stone ;
otherwise misfortune will surely eventuate, since the Turquoise, under
such conditions, is malevolent. By the Germans the Turquoise is used as
a love-token; and is presented by a lover to his betrothed. Its colour
is believed to remain permanent as long as the lover's affection lasts.
Furthermore, the Turquoise is credited in Germany with a beneficial
virtue for strengthening the eyes.
The
Turquoise of commerce comes from Nishabour, in Khorasan, Persia, in a
clayey state ; being now frequently known as " callaite." If kept free
from contact with acids, musk, camphor, or other scents, this stone
will retain its pristine hue for many years ; but turning at last to a
green, or white. The Shah of Persia is thought to jealously retain all
the finest Turquoises in his own possession.
During
the reign of James VI of Scotland, 1622, enumerated among the valuables
left by George, Farl Marischal, is " ane jasper stane for steming of
bluid." A belief in the medicinable virtues of precious
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