A Book of Precious Stones; the Identifica
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
^iavBa^nv.iaijarr4:Bei>T^rPS wf 3 CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY GIFT OF Prof. E. M. Chamont Date Due ^LilUJ.197?-g--^ ;iw^L&affi PRINTED PN U CAT, NO. Z3Z33 («f Cornell University Library QE 392.W83 A book of precious stones; the identifica 3 1924 004 063 677 t. A Book of Precious Stones THE IDENTIFICATION OF GEMS AND GEM MINERALS, AND AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR SCIENTIFIC, COMMERCIAL, ARTISTIC, AND HISTORICAL ASPECTS BY JULIUS WODISKA WITH 46 ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOR AND IN BLACK AND WHITE G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS NEW YORK AND LONDON tCbe fcnicFser&ocfier press 1909 u^ l„^ o 7 vJ y Copyright, igog BY JULIUS WODISKA H.rv\fc:^^..,,,.:7 trbe 'Knfclterliocliec iPteee, 'Rew J|h>rft PEEFAOE 'X'HE object of the author is to gather together » in the present volume information of all sorts about precious stones and the minerals which form their bases ; it has been his endeavour to include all of the many aspects of his sub- ject, and, at the same time, to present it in such form that it may serve at once as a guide to the professional jeweller, a book of reference to the amateur, and yet prove of equal interest to the general reader. The study of gems, in its more obvious as- pects, forms a division of mineralogy—or more specifically of crystallography—and of the allied science, chemistry ; but the author has attempted to avoid the technicalities of these subjects and present the matter in a popular manner. While it is true that " gemology " may be included under mineralogy or chemistry, never- theless, so varied are the associations with gems, that if this scientific treatment of them were alone attempted, there would be disregarded iv Preface some of the most interesting aspects of the sub- ject, which is related not only to art, but to history and even mythology as well. From all these various standpoints has the subject been approached. The precious stones are described in chapters devoted to each, in the order in which they rank in popular estima- tion, as are also the more important semi- precious stones, which are classified, those occasionally used being briefly treated. Dia- mond-cutting, its history and processes, the lapidary and his work, imitations and recon- structed gems, myths and legends, favourite gems of the great, gems and gem minerals in museums, the trade union of the diamond cut- ters, and the designing and making of jewelry in the new arts and crafts movement, are all considered, and further valuable specific in- formation is comprehended in appended lists, tables, and an extensive bibliography. In expressing indebtedness to those who have been of assistance to him, the author would first cordially thank his friend Mr. Allen S. Williams, whose scientific knowledge and literary skill have been of very great help in preparing this volume. Among authorities drawn upon for in- formation are Dr. Max Bauer, Professor James Preface v D. Dana, Dr. George Frederick Kunz, Profes- sor Oliver Cummings Farrington, Mr. Edwin W. Streeter, Mr. Gardner F. Williams, Profes- sor Louis P. Gratacap, Mr. Wirt Tassin, and Mr. W. E. Cattelle. Thanks for valuable aid are also due to Mr. Arthur Chamberlain, editor of The Mineral Collector; to the editors of The Jeweller's Circular-WeeJcly, The Keystone, and The National Jeweller; to The Foote Mineral Company and Mr. William H. Eau, of Philadel- phia; to Mr. John Lamont, to Mr. Albert H. Petereit, and Mr. Ludwig Nissen of New York City; to Mr. Walter Scott Perry of Brooklyn, and to the University of California. The author feels that the experience of more than thirty years as artisan and as manufac- turer of jewelry and importer of gems justifies him in presenting in book form the information which is constantly sought of those who are regarded as authorities upon the subject of precious stones. J. W. New York, June, 1909. CONTENTS Gems and Jjewelet—Thh Interest OE THE Subject, and the Need of More Books Concerning It II. Classifications op Precious and Precious Stones III. viii Contents CHAPTER FAGB 12° XV. Chetsopbase . • XVI. Jadb 14^3 XVII. Moonstone; 147 XVIII. Peeidot 151 XIX. KuNziTE 154 XX. TOUEMALINES 160 XXI. Ambee 169 XXII. Bloodstone 173 XXIII. Moss Agate 176 XXIV. Onyx and Saedonyx . .179 XXV. Semi-Peecious Stones Occasionally Used 183 XXVI. Cutting Diamonds and Othee Gems 195 XXVII. Imitations, Impeovembnts, and Rb- CONSTEUCTION 209 XXVIII. FOLK-LOEE 228 XXIX. Favourite Gems of Distinguished People 239 XXX. Gem Minbeals and Gems in Museum Collections 245 XXXI. OuE Diamond Cuttbes and theie Teadb Union .... 253 XXXII. Jbweley in the Aets and Ceafts Movement 262 Contents ix APPENDIX PAGE Alphabetical List of Gem Minerals . 285 List of Important Gems According to Colours 292 Dicliroism—A List of Leading Twin-Coloured Gems 294 The Mohs Table of Hardness . .295 Table of Hardness of Gem Minerals . 296 Table Showing Specific Gravity of Gem Minerals • 297 Refraction 298 Transparency of Gems under Rontgen (X-) Rays 300 A Carat's Weight in Various Localities . 301 Crystallography—Systems of Crystalline Form 303 "Birth-Stones": A Rhyming List of Natal Gems Popularly Identified with the Months 303 Others Books about Gems (Bibliography) . 307 Glossabt 343 Ikdbx 357 ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOUR PAGB Cinnabar, Tungyen Prefecture, Kweichow, China Frontispiece Emerald crystal, Tokowaja River, Ural Moun- tains. Pink Beryl, Crystal and Cut Gem, Mesa Grande, Cal 64 Tounnaline. Green and pink Tourmaline from Mesa Grande, Cal.; owned by Harvard Uni- versity. Pink Tourmaline in Albite with Lepidolite, Mesa Grande, Cal. 160 Gold—remarkably fine specimens from Cali- fornia 188 ILLUSTRATIONS PAGB KimlDerley, Soutli Africa, Diamond Mines: Open workings ........ 28 Kaffir employees gambling in the compound, Kim- berley Mines 30 On the floors loading blue earth for the washing machines at Kimberley. Diamond pulsator at De Beers Diamond Mines, Kimberley, South Africa 32 Railway to Kimberley, South Africa ... 34 One day's diamond wash at the Kimberley Mines 36 The tunnel along one-thousand-foot level, De Beers Diamond Mines 38 Cullinan Diamond—in the rough; actual size . 46 Cullinan Diamond: Nine largest gems cut from the rough stone ...... 48 Cullinan Diamond: Cleaving implements; room in Amsterdam where the rough stone was cut and polished 60 Amethyst: Extraordinary specimen of Amethyst crystals 96 xiv Illustrations PAOB Garnet crystals, and pebbles of Pyrope. Sap- phires. Diamond crystals from Kimberley Mines 108 Siberian Topaz. Specimens in United States National Museum 122 Agate: Carnelian from Uruguay. Moss Agate 176 Agate with concentric rings .... 178 Azurite and Malachite. Topaz crystals with Smoky Quartz. Specimens in United States National Museum 186 Diamond cutter and setter at work. Diamond sawing machines IQl Oriental gem cutters ... 198 Tulp Straat, Amsterdam—The diamond centre of the world 200 Gem minerals: A celebrated collection . 250 Brooch, Festoon, Ring, and Earring: Suggestions for students and jewellers ..... 252 Suggestions for students and jewellers . 254 Pearl and Diamond Collar. Design donated by Mr. William Reiman 256 Handicraft of Pratt Institute students . 258 Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, N. Y. "Work of students 260 Illustrations xv Suggestions for students and jewellers. Work of students at Pratt Institute .... 262 Work of students in Rhode Island School of Design 264 Cooper Union Jewelry Class: Prize design by Mr. Frederick E. Bauer 266 Society of Arts and Crafts, Boston: Gold pen- dant with Topaz and Pearls. Gold pendant with Pearls (old chain). Gold ring with Opal and Emeralds. By Mrs. Ednah S. G. Higginson 268 Specimens of work done by students at Rhode Island School of Design ..... 270 Rhode Island School of Design: Specimens of students' work 272 Oxidised silver necklace, pale yellow Topaz, and white Pearl blisters by Florence A. Richmond. Pendants by Frank Gardner Hale. Society of Arts and Crafts, Boston 274 Development of a design by a student at the Rhode Island School of Design 276 Dyers' Arts and Crafts School, Indianapolis, Ind. Finished work of students .... 278 A Book of Precious Stones CHAPTER I GEMS AND JEWELET—THE INTEREST OF THE SUB- JECT, AND THE NEED OF MOEE BOOKS CONCERNING IT CROM the earliest ages jewels have powerfully * attracted mankind, and the treatment of precious stones and the precious metals in which they are set, often serves as important evidence, not only concerning the art of early times and peoples, but also concerning their manners and customs. Jewels have been the gifts and ran- soms of kings, the causes of devastating wars, of the overthrow of dynasties, of regicides, of notorious thefts, and of innumerable crimes of violence. The known history of some existent famous gems covers more years than the story of some modern nations. Around the flashing Kohinoor and its compeers cluster world-famous legends, not less fascinating to the general 2 A Book of Precious Stones reader who loves the strange and romantic, than to the antiquary or the historian or the scientist. These tales of fact or fiction are fascinating in part, because they associate with the gems fair women whose names have become synonymous with whatever is beautiful and beguiling in the sex. In the mind of the lowest savage, as in the thought of man in his highest degree of civilisation, personal adornment has always oc- cupied a prominent place, and for such adorn- ment gems are most prized. The symbolism and sentiment of the precious and semi-precious stones, and precious metals, permeate literature. Jewels have their place in the descriptions of heaven in the sacred writings of almost every people that has attained to a written language. So wide and so interesting is the subject of precious stones and precious metals, their artis- tic treatment apart and combined, their im- portance in society, commerce, and the arts, their part in the wealth of individuals and nations, that it is in a high degree remarkable that, comparatively speaking, so few books have been written about them.