FACTS AND FANCIES ABOUT PRECIOUS STONES 407
had
fallen out or decayed, as shown in several specimens, might be regarded
as corroborative of the broader assumption. The expert workmanship of
these pre-Colombian "dental surgeons" is clearly manifested in the good
condition of the teeth whence so much of the enamel had been removed,
showing that the inlays must have been so closely adjusted that the
tooth was effectively protected from the introduction of moisture.
One of the latest fashionable fads, suggested by the great variety of bright-colored costumes worn by the mondaines (and
others) at the present day, is the selection and wear of jewelry set
with stones of the same color as the striking gown. Thus with a costume
of glowing red, the ruddy ruby would be chosen, a sky-blue costume
would insure the wearing of the justly popular sapphire, dress of a
golden-yellow hue would call for one of the shades of topazes, while
the "new brown," now so much in vogue, finds its complementary stone
in topaz of a slightly darker shade. The grass-green costume would
suggest one of the many beautiful shades of the tourmaline, and jewelry
of the pink tourmaline would be appropriate to garments of this color.
With their wonderful play of color, opals would accord with all
varieties of hue in costume and might thus be worn with either of the
other more especially matched stones.
An
old account of the-London trades and guilds, in writing of the
jewellers' art, makes the following statement regarding the
qualifications of a jeweller, as appropriate to our own times as to any
other.86
He
ought to be an elegant Designer, and have a quick Invention for new
Patterns, not only to range the stones in such manner as to give Lustre
to one another, but to create Trade ; for a new Fashion takes as much
with the Ladies in Jewels as in anything else ; he that can furnish
them oftenest with the newest Whim has the best Chance for their Custom.
"R. Campbell, "The London Tradesman," London, 1747, p. 143.
