HINTS TO LOVERS BUYING RINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1489, 29 May 1880, Page 26

HINTS TO LOVERS BUYING RINGS.

About the seventh century the superstitious regard for precious stones reached its height. Ihe number of properties attributed to them at this time is wonderful. They were said to have the power of conferring health, beauty, riches, honour, good-fortune and influence. Men and women carried them about their persons and called them amulets. They were thought also to have some connection with the planets and seasons. A speoial gem was worn for each month, thus :—: — In January the Hyacinth, In February the Amethist. In March the Jasper. In April the Sapphire. In May the Agate. In June the Emerald. In July the Onyx. In August the Cornelian. In September the Chrysolite. In October the Beryl. In November the Topaz. In December the Ruby. The Twelve Apostle also were repreeented by gems, called Apostle-stones, viz : 1. The hard and solid jasper, representing the rook of the church, was the emblem of Peter. 2. The bright blue sapphire was emblematic of the heavenly faith of Andrew. 8. The emerald, of the pure and gentle John, 4. The white chalcedony, of the loving James. 5. The friendly sardonyx, of Philip. 6. The red cornelian, of the martyr Bartholomew. 7. The chrysolite, pure as sunlight, of Matthias. 8. The indefinite beryl, of the doubting Thomas. 9. Thejtopaz, of the delicate James the younger. 10. The chrysoprase, of the serene and trustful Thadeus. 11. The amethist, of Matthew the Apostle. 12. The pink hyacinth, of the sweet tempered Simeon of Cana.