§ 20. An English work, of but little note, professes to make out “Love’s Telegraph,” as understood in America, thus:—If a gentleman wants a wife, he wears a ring on the first finger of the left hand; if he is engaged, he wears it on the second finger; if married, on the third; and on the fourth if he never intends to be married. When a lady is not engaged, she wears a hoop or diamond on her first finger; if engaged, on the second; if married, on the third; and on the fourth if she intends to die a maid.[97]
Many of our readers are aware that there are name-rings, in which the first letter attaching to each jewel employed will make a loved one’s name or a sentiment. In the formation of English rings of this kind, the terms Regard and Dearest are common. Thus illustrated:—R(uby) E(merald) G(arnet) A(methyst) R(uby) D(iamond).—D(iamond) E(merald) A(methyst) R(uby) E(merald) S(apphire) T(opaz). It is believed that this pretty notion originated (as many pretty notions do) with the French. The words which the latter generally play with, in a combination of gems, are Souvenir and Amitié, thus: S(aphir or Sardoine) O(nix or Opale) U(raine) V(ermeille) E(meraude) N(atralithe) I(ris) R(ubis or Rose diamant).—A(méthiste or Aigue-marine) M(alachite) I(ris) T(urquoise or Topaze) I(ris) E(meraude).
Here are the alphabetical French names of precious stones:[98]
| A. | Améthiste. Aigue-marine. |
| B. | Brilliant. Diamant, désigniant la même pierre. |
| C. | Chrisolithe. Carnaline. Chrisophrase. |
| D. | Diamant. |
| E. | Emeraude. |
| F. | (Pas de pierre connue.) |
| G. | Grenat. |
| H. | Hiacinthe. |
| I. | Iris. |
| J. | Jasper. |
| K. | (Pas de pierre connue.) |
| L. | Lapis lazuli. |
| M. | Malachite. |
| N. | Natralithe. |
| O. | Onix. Opale. |
| P. | Perle. Peridot. Purpurine. |
| Q. | (Pas de pierre connue.) |
| R. | Rubis. Rose diamant. |
| S. | Saphir. Sardoine. |
| T. | Turquoise. Topaze. |
| U. | Uraine. |
| V. | Vermeille (espèce de grenat jaune). |
| X. | Xépherine. |
| Y. Z. | (Pas de nous connus.) |
Kobell says,[99] “In name-rings, in which a name is indicated by the initial letter of different gems, the emerald is mostly used under its English and French name (Emeraude) to stand for e, which would otherwise not be represented. (The German name is Smaragd.) While on this point, it may be mentioned that a difficulty occurs with u, but recent times have furnished a name which may assist, namely, a green garnet, containing chrome, from Siberia, which has been baptized after the Russian Minister Uwarrow, and called Uwarrovite.”
The Poles have a fanciful belief that each month of the year is under the influence of a precious stone, which influence has a corresponding effect on the destiny of a person born during the respective month. Consequently it is customary among friends and lovers, on birth-days, to make reciprocal presents of trinkets ornamented with the natal stones. The stones and their influences, corresponding with each month, are supposed to be as follows:
| January—Garnet. | Constancy and Fidelity. |
| February—Amethyst. | Sincerity. |
| March—Bloodstone. | Courage, presence of mind. |
| April—Diamond. | Innocence. |
| May—Emerald. | Success in love. |
| June—Agate. | Health and long life. |
| July—Cornelian. | Contented mind. |
| August—Sardonyx. | Conjugal felicity. |
| September—Chrysolite. | Antidote against madness. |
| October—Opal. | Hope. |
| November—Topaz. | Fidelity. |
| December—Turquoise. | Prosperity. |