JEWEL AS MISSILE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2443, 6 March 1909, Page 11 (Supplement)

JEWEL AS MISSILE.

ROMANCE OF A TOPAZ THAT THE

QUEEN ADMIRED

A magnificent crystal, which, it is claimed, is the largest blue topaz of tho last century, is offered foi sale at the price of £2OO, at the Qfioensland Government office m the Strand, where a collection of Antipodean products, which were displayed at the Franco-British Exhibition, .is on view. Tlie Queen took a special interest in the stone when Her Majesty visited the exhibition, and observed to one pf the officials: “What-a, beau tit u thing it is! It is like a drop of limpid sea water.” The stone is a true seablue color. , . . t Major J. Sankey, who is m charge of the Strand Exhibit, told a press representative the romantic history of the stone. , , „ . “It was discovered by 1 rofessoi Skertchley, the eminent geologist,' said Major Sankey. ‘The professoi, while journeying in North Queensland, happened one day on a miner s camp, after a long and weary tramp. Entering a hut for rest and refreshment, while chatting with his mining host, his eye fell on the crystal where it lay, near .to hand, on a chest. “He remarked on its and was surprised when the miner told mm that the stone lay there to bo used as a missile in case a dog should come m after tho meat. +i lrt „«bt “Seeing that the professor J tho g lit i * )l “The'miner’s missile once came veiy „ej 11 to “&S the of the King, and perhaps ° f prominently among th -i + first A littlo while before BiG date first fixed for the Coronation His Majestj, hearing of the professor’s blue topaz, appointed a day when lie might m--5 it, with a, view to its purchase “But the King’s sudden attack of illness, which postponed his coronation also nut off indefinitely the appointemnt His Majesty had made, and so the sea-bluo. gom still reposes on its white silk cushion at the_ Queensland office.”