FOLK-LORE
BECAUSE of their
density and hardness, gems are among the most permanent of substances,
and yet, to a greater degree, perhaps, than any other kind of
property, their value rests on sentiment. The associations of gems in
the human mind are so numerous and varied, that no writer has ever
attempted to assemble all of them; some are well substantiated in
history, others only in legend; they are identified with many
religions, but most of them are black with superstition, its origin
generally obscure. This phase of the general subject of gems can be
properly covered under the term and title of " folk-lore." The Bible's
many references to gems are familiar alike to Hebrews and to all
Christian readers of Holy Writ. Besides the scattered references and
metaphorical use of the names of gems, the Bible contains three lists
of precious stones. The first is an account of the jewels on the ephod, or short
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