66 AQUAMARINES
The
history of the aquamarine is not as complete as that of the more
valued stones. A notable biblical mention of the stone is, however,
found in the Song of Solomon,
"O daughters of Jerusalem,
This is my beloved, and this is my friend.
His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl."
In
the middle ages, beryl was supposed to give its wearer cheerfulness and
to compose the heart and mind. It was called, in fact, the
"sweet-tempered stone," and these qualities might perhaps account for
the presence of a piece of blue beryl in the English crown.
