310 THE MAGIC OF JEWELS AND CHARMS
the
breast is one of the curious turquoise-encrusted marine clam-shells
similar to the one found by Lieutenant F. H. Cushing in the excavations
near Tempe, Arizona. The writer saw a fine example of this ornamental
object susÂpended from the neck of the Virgin of Santo Domingo, at the
Annual Fiesta, August 4, 1890. With the exception of a black band of
obsidian running across the centre, the entire exterior of the shell is
covered with a sort of miniature pavement of little squares of
turquoise which are cemented to it with a black shellac-like substance
obtained from "the grease-wood" plant common in New Mexico.*4
It
has been suggested that the types of ornamentation used by the
aborigines of Central America may become fashionable at the time of the
opening of the Panama Canal. In jewelry the crayfish model, as shown in
a gold-plated ornament discovered in the Chiriqui district of Panama,
offers a striking and peculiar form which might win favor; a curious
frog pattern could also be used. If the local usage in ancient times is
to be considered, the emerald and other green stones would be given the
preference for decoration, as stones of this color were the most in
favor among the primitive inhabitants of Central America because it
symÂbolized the verdure of field and forest, and hence youth and vigor.
When set in gold these stones gained in symbolic value, for gold,
having the color of the sun, was regarded as typical of force, courage,
and vitality.
The
mystic lake of Guatavita, high up on the Andean plateau of Colombia,
South America, was the chief holy place of the native Indians of this
locality hundreds of years ago, at a time when gold and emeralds were
plentiful among them, luxuries unknown to their impoverished
descendants of our day. Legend had taught them to regard this lake as
u George F. Kunz, " Gems and Precious Stones of North America," New York, 1890, pp. 61, 02.
