G. F. K.

September, 1913.

Contents

CHAPTERPAGE
[I.]Superstitions and their Sources1
[II.]On the Use of Precious and Semi-precious Stones asTalismans and Amulets19
[III.]On the Talismanic Use of Special Stones51
[IV.]On the Use of Engraved and Carved Gems as Talismans115
[V.]On Ominous and Luminous Stones143
[VI.]On Crystal Balls and Crystal Gazing176
[VII.]Religious Uses of Precious Stones, Pagan, Hebrew, andChristian225
[VIII.]On the High-priest’s Breastplate275
[IX.]Birth-stones307
[X.]Planetary and Astral Influences of Precious Stones338
[XI.]On the Therapeutic Use of Precious and Semi-preciousStones367

Illustrations

COLOR PLATES
PAGE
Phenomenal Gems (Gems Exhibiting Phenomena)[Frontispiece.]
Maharaja Runjit Singh, with Pearls and Gems[42]
Cardinal Farley’s Ring,—Sapphire with Diamonds[104]
Gems from the Morgan-Tiffany Collection[107]
Self-prints of Diamonds, Showing Phosphorescence[170]
Cross, Attached as Pendant to the Crown of the Gothic KingReccesvinthus (649-672 A.D.)[293]
DOUBLETONES
Rock-crystal Amulet set in Silver[10]
Rock-crystal Placque, Ancient Mexican[10]
Necklaces from Egypt. First Century[20]
Mosaics of Turquoise and Enamelled Carnelian Beads[26]
Necklaces from Egypt[37]
African Agate Charms[54]
Amber Ornaments[58]
Chalcedony Votive Charm from Mexico[65]
Curious Altar of Powalawa Indians of Arizona[65]
Kabyle Jewelry[68]
Jasper Pendant[93]
Piece of Natural Loadstone for Medicinal Purposes[93]
Aragonite Pendant[93]
Obsidian Mask, from the Fayoum, Egypt[99]
Turquoise Necklace, Thibet[110]
Phœnician Scarab, with Engraved Scorpion[123]
Ancient Babylonian Cylinder Impression, Bearing Figures of theGod Nebo and a Worshipper, and Symbols of Sun and Moon[123]
A Small Jade Celt Engraved with Gnostic Inscriptions in theFourth Century[123]
Moss Agate Mocha Stones, Hindoostan[132]
Agates Used as Votive Charms and Set in Rings[149]
Rock-crystal Ball Penetrated by Crystals of Rutile[176]
Glass Ball, Perforated and Mounted in Metal[183]
Ball of Jet, Perforated and Mounted in Metal[183]
Eye Agate, Showing a Number of Circular Markings[183]
Dr. Dee’s Shew Stone[190]
Obsidian Mirror, with Native Textile String[190]
Rock-crystal Spheres and Natural Cross[196]
Babylonian Cylinders and Persian Beads[204]
Rock-crystal Spheres with Japanese Mountings[209]
Crystal Ball, Supported by Bronze Dragon[217]
Method of Grinding Crystal Balls and Other Hard Stone Objectsin Germany and France[219]
Japanese Method of Chipping, Grinding and Polishing Rock-crystalBalls[219]
Rock-crystal Sphere with Three-figure Mounting[221]
“Phantom Crystal” of Quartz (Rock-crystal)[224]
Rock-crystal Balls[224]
Amber Heart-shaped Amulet[228]
An Inscribed Scarab of the Type known as a Heart-scarab[228]
Babylonian Axe Head[233]
Mani Málá, or Chain of Gems[242]
Sculptured Jade Mountain Weighing 640 lbs[245]
Votive Adze of Jadeite from Mexico[249]
Statue of a Maori Warrior, by Sigurd Neandross[254]
Jadeite Celts[264]
Staurolite Crystals (Fairy Stones)[271]
Frontispiece of the “Vestitus Sacerdotum Hebræorum,” ofJohann Braun, Amsterdam, 1680[275]
Silver Cross with Quartz Cat’s-eye[286]
Specimens of Chiastolite (Lapis Crucifer)[286]
Facsimile of the Betrothal Ring of the Virgin in the Cathedralof Perugia[317]
Moss Agates[330]
The Figures of the Planets with their Significant Stones[332]
The Zodiacal Stones with their Signs[343]
Necklaces (First Century, A.D., and Ancient Persian)[346]
Statuette Known as that of Sainte Foy, in the Abbey-churchat Conques, Dept. Aveyron, France[356]
Inscription on a Small Piece of Limestone, in Cursive EgyptianWriting—an Ancient Prescription[368]
Necklaces—(1) Carnelian Beads; (2) Onyx Beads[370]
Facsimile Page of Italian Vellum Manuscript Treatise of theVirtues of Gems[374]
Initials from the Lapidario De Alfonso X[377]
LINE CUTS IN TEXT
Title Page of the First Edition of the Poetical Treatise onPrecious Stones by Marbodus, Bishop of Rennes, Printedin Friburg, 1531[15]
Title Page of the First Edition of the Greek Treatise by St.Epiphanius on the Gems of the Breastplate, with a Latin Version[16]
Title Page of One of the Earliest Treatises on Precious StonesPublished in England[17]
Pearl Dealer[42]
An Air-ship of 1709[53]
The Tree that Exudes Amber[56]
A Practical Test of the Virtues of the Bloodstone to PreventNose-bleed[60]
Carnelian Seal, worn by Napoleon I, Napoleon III, and the PrinceImperial[64]
Specimen Page of Italian Manuscript of Fourteenth Century[77]
Obsidian Mirror, from Oaxaca, Mexico. Now in TrocadéroMuseum, Paris[99]
Rock-crystal Skull, Ancient Mexican[100]
Engraved Heliotrope[124]
Engraved Red Jasper[124]
Gnostic Gems[127]
Antique Jade Celt Converted into a Gnostic Talisman[129]
Monogram of the Name of Christ Engraved on an Onyx Gem[136]
Two Gold Rings Set with Engraved Onyx Gems[138]
The “Orphanus Jewel” in the German Imperial Crown[147]
Title Page of Robert Boyle’s Work on the Origin and Virtuesof Gems[169]
Title Page of a Group of Treatises by Various Authors, Collectedand Edited by Conrad Gesner at Zürich in 1565[258]
The Hebrew High-priest Attired with his Vestments[279]
The Breastplate Unfolded, I, II; Ephod with Breastplate Foldedand Attached, III[281]
Title Page of the Edition of Marbodus on Precious Stones, Publishedin Cologne, 1539[290]
Carnelian, Engraved with the Zodiacal Signs, Taurus, Leo andCapricorn; in the Centre a Six-rayed Star, the Form of one ofthese Rays Denoting a Comet[322]

The Curious Lore of Precious Stones