Lucky and Unlucky Gems.

Otago Witness, Issue 2823, 22 April 1908, Page 73

Lucky and Unlucky Gems.

Few women possess, perhaps, sufficient courage of their opinions as to acknowledge or disprove belief m lucky or unlucky gems, but, like salt-spilling, walking under ladders, magpies, and other misfortunes of this kind, all but the most strong-minded are apt to waver m their determination to prove superior to superstitions. Since the earliest days (says the St. James's Gazette) the diamond has been credited with the power of imbuing its wearer witb courage — moral and physical — and strength, as well as joy and happiness; while the once despised garnet, which is supposed to encourage friendship and affection, increase reliability and. self-dependence, undoubtedly deserves its present revival where fashion is concerned on that account alone. Cat'seyes and moonstones from time immemorial have both represented favourite —Gifts for a Girl,— the former assuring worldly well-being and comfort to its owner, as well as assured long life and immunity from suffering, while the latter guarantees success and happiness m all love affairs. The amethyst is, however, the stone for the woman of the day r whose life is fraught with responsibilities and

anxieties, and whose business affairs are self-managed, its calming and soothing properties carrying their own value, while the sapphire, besides being credited with the power of lessening fevers, is said to include also clear-headedness and perspicuity m business among its attributes. Not only is ihe beryl reputed m improve the sight, but it clears and sharpens the reasoning powers, while the sadonyx brings matrimonial affairs to a successful issue, and is supposed to make married life happy and prosperous. Whatever may be said against the oopaz on the score of its unbecomingness, it has, however, its worth from a superstitious point of view. Faithfulness, sincerity, and cheerfulness are attributes which it brings its wearers ; while m the opinion of the ancients it was also considered capable of warding off sudden death as well as counteracting the ill-effects of poisons, at the same time that it was supposed — To Expose Double-dealing — on the part of an adversary, and to dispel unkindness. The emerald may be the colour of jealousy and hatred, but its wearer was said to acquire the power of detecting falsehood, as well as gaining protection against cancer : while the opal, far from representing an unlucky stone, was m old days considered the most foitunate of all. It was regarded as a preventive of all disasters and misfortunes, and m reflecting both the charms and virtues of all the other gems it conveyed to its owner all the combined force of their good qualities. Opals are, how-

ever, never regarded as lucky gems for engagement rings, the only exception being the woman whose anniversary occurs m October, and whose birthstone consequently it is; while m the same way its reputed ill-luck where travellers are concerned is mitigated m the case of those to whom by right it belongs.