GEMS IN FASHION.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XVI, 22 April 1899, Page 544

GEMS IN FASHION.

EMERALDS AND PERIDOTS ARE NOW WORN IN THE BEST SOCIETY CIRCLES. Emerald and rubies are the most expensive jewels obtainable, when flawless and of superb colour. Green stones are so modish that though emeralds lead, the revival of interest in this colour has prominently brought forward the peridot, which is really the Indian chrysolite, and is a clear, deep leaf-green in tint, showing almost yellow beside the true emerald. A handsome peridot is difficult to come by, now that the art of cutting them is almost lost, and a good specimen therefore fetches quite as high a price as a nice emerald, while many women prefer their more becoming yellow-green colour. Both emeralds and peridots are set off with diamonds or on the newest bracelets, brooches, and watches an emerald is partly sunk in a bed of well-matched green enamel. and then the enamel is encircled in diamonds. Women who cannot quite afford diamonds or peridots, and yet wish to share in this universal wearing of the green, have made very fashionable both the chrysoprase and beryl. These are classed as semi-precious stones, and are palely green, like the waters of a great lake, or diluted creme de menthe. Good taste has decided that neither of these delicately tinted gems shall be set in diamonds, for the dazzle of the more brilliant stone drinks up the faint, pretty colour of the central setting. Instead, beryls are often encircled in pearls, and the chrysoprase set perfectly plainly in gold, with an effect that is studied and very pretty.