294 NATURAL HISTORY OF PRECIOUS STONES, &c.
method of tinging the stone was attributed to an ancient painter or gem-engraver, the namesake of the Emperor.*
This
tradition deserves more attention than it has obtained. An opinion has
been recently advanced that the New Granada Emerald, the finest of the
species, owes the depth of its green to a saturation with animal matter
derived from the organic remains that fill the limestone-rock, its
actual matrix. Minerals tinged by an admixture of chrome do not lose
their colour when heated, which the Emerald does, a fact indicating a
different source for its green than that generally received. To the
support of this theory comes the belief of the old Peruvians, mentioned
by Gar. de la Vega, that the Emerald ripened in its matrix as the fruit
does upon its tree; being first colourless, and then gradually turning
green, assuming its colour first at its corner that faces the rising
sun.
The
Hindoos of every age have greatly admired the Emerald, especially when
formed into a pear-drop, pierced at the small end and worn as a pendant
in the ear. They also employ it much in bracelets ; and many a glorious
gem of this species, as well as of the Sapphire, have they
remorselessly sacrificed to the fashion by drilling a hole through its
centre for the purpose of stringing it as a bead. One of the finest
ever found was to be seen thus maltreated upon the arm of Eunjeet Singh
; and the largest and bluest Sapphire that has come under my own notice
had been
