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44 Precious Stones as Objects of Commerce.
or red colour : these are called dust when
very fine and in large numbers in one stone. Absolute perfection is no
more to be found in Diamonds and Precious Stones, than in any other
created things ; for, however perfect they may appear at first sight,
there is, as a rule, some trifling defect discoverable on minute
inspection. 25 per cent, of the Diamonds found have to be cleaved,
whereby the Diamond-cutter is enabled to remove black spots or
air-bubbles, or any other flaws in the stone.
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THE FIRST KNOWN APPLICATION OF DIAMONDS FOR ORNAMENT.
The
adaptability of the Diamond for personal ornament is grounded mainly
on its conspicuous lustre and beautiful play of light, properties which
are rendered prominent by cutting the stone, so as to give it the
greatest number of surfaces consistent with its size. By this
manipulation the rough stone loses an amount of material tending in
some cases to more than one-half, and sometimes as much as two-thirds
of its original weight.
The
Tyrians are said to have been the first to apply the Diamond to
personal ornament, but the author thinks this very doubtful, and
believes that it was an article of commerce much earlier among the
peoples of the East. They valued it highly, carried it as an amulet,
and attributed to it many medical virtues. It was regarded also as a
safeguard against madness.
The
breastplate of Aaron previously referred to is mentioned in Exodus
xxxix, 10 to 14. Jeremiah (xvii. 1) speaks of the sin of Judah being
written with " the point of a Diamond,''—puncto adamantis of the Vulgate—though it is probable that this adamas was the corundum, and not
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