Talismanic Use of Special Stones Kunz: Curious Lore Precious Stones Page 140



	114 THE CURIOUS LORE OF PRECIOUS STONES signifies either a green or a blue stone, no distinction being made between the two colors. This stone is highly prized for its talismanic virtues. Indeed the possession of a turquoise was indispensable for a medicine-man, as without it he would not receive proper recognition. That some of the powers of the thunder-stone were ascribed to the turquoise by the tribes appears from the fancy that a man who could go to the end of a rainbow after a storm and search in the damp earth would find a turquoise. One of its supposed powers was to aid the warrior or hunter by assuring the accuracy of his aim, for if a turquoise were affixed to a gun or bow the shot sped from the weapon would go straight to the mark.¹³²A lady prominent in the London world is said to possess the power of restoring to their pristine hue turquoises that have grown pale. According to report, this lady is often called upon to use her peculiar gift by friends whose turquoises have faded.¹³³ While the improvement supposed to be noted may be more imaginary than real in many cases, there is little doubt that this stone is exceptionally sensitive to the action of certain emanations, and may, at times, be influenced by the wearer's general state of health. The writer believes that a turquoise, like an egg, can never be restored to its original state. ^1OT Burke, " The Medicine-men of the Apache," Ninth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, 1887-1888, Washington, 1892, p. 589. ^I33Fernie, "Precious Stones for Curative Use," Bristol, 1907, p. 269.