SUPERSTITIONS ABOUT JEWELS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1928, Page 4

SUPERSTITIONS ABOUT JEWELS

(By PULA NEGRI, the famous film star, who has a remarkably fine collection of jewels.)

Tliore is magic in jewels. In the emerald or the sapphire, the ruby or the diamond there is a witehory which is a part of tho soul of all human beings. It lias always been so, since llio earliest days of men and women. An occult power was attributed to beautiful gems, which were often worn as talismans and amulets, because of their magical quality. In ancient days the diamond, the hardest of stones, was believed to possess attributes like those of an Aladdin’s lamp. Collections of such stones, some with, and some without, intrinsic value, but all of which are supposed to possess occult powers, are still banded down from father to son in many Hindu families in India—that storehouse of rare gems. Scientists tell us that our love of gems emanates from a pebble mania that is inherent in the human race, and that this mania was first responsible for the discovery of precious stones.

Curiously enough, in the Middle Ages, and later, precious stones, were supposed to have tremendous medicinal value. A price list of a firm of German druggists, printed in 1757, lists all the precious stones as components of “tonics” to protect tho heart against poison and plague. Hi" to lowing precious stones were rega \led as being indispensable to every drug store: Jacinth, sapphire, emerald, topaz, margaritha (pearl), coral, hematite, aetites, and jasper. When the gems failed to produce cures, this was attributed to the fact that the stones were not genuine.

Agate was supposed to cure the bites of spiders and scorpions, quench thirst, and cure fevers. Beryl was credited with curing quinsy and swollen glands, and also eye trouble an;l hiccoughs. Carbuncles were credited with making those who wore them proof against poison, and also immune to sadness, evil thoughts, and dreams. If corals and emeralds were wrapper in the skin of a cat they would drive off mortal fever—provided they were attached to the neck of a patient. A diamond was supposed to have six flavours—sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and acrid. Since diamonds were reputed to have all these quali ties, is it strange that they were also supposed to euro all diseases and lessen all ills? Tho diamond lias, since the earliest time, been prized as an orna mental stone.

The emerald was specially treasured by the niedift'vals because, ii suspended from the neck of a child, it was believed to preserve that child from epileptic convulsions and prevent the fall-ing-sickness. Jacinth was noted as an antidote for poisons! Jade lessened pain and had many other magical properties. Jasper cured colic and had a beneficial effect upon tho circulation of tlic blood. Sapphire was supposed to taste “ hitter and lukewarm,” and to have a remedial action “ against phlegm, liilc and flatulence ” and boils. The blood-stone lias a peculiar religious significance, being used frequently in Christian ornaments, particularly in Russia. The sapphire, as emblematic of tho Star of Bethlehem, also has a deep Christian significance. For many centuries the opal was under a cloud, owing to the erroneous fancy that it was associated 'with illlurk! possibly due to the comparative fraility of the gem. However, Queen Victoria did much to dispel this fallacy, for she wore the gem constantly and brought it back i into lavour, so that now the opal is quite a favourite bridal gift.

Probably the greatest number of la. gends has been woven around diamonds and pearls, the stories ■ ranging from magic talcs to mysteries, murders, and tales of fatal gems.

But I truthfully believe that there is a certain inherent mystical quality in jewellery. I possess many beautiful jewels, and each makes me reflect a different mood. 1 believe this is due to thousands of years • of mysticism which is horn in the blood and bred in the human race.

I put my faith in my jewels. In my pictures I wear my jewels as they befit the mood of the part I believe that 1 shall reflect, and my audiences feel tho peculiar qualities in thorn which the human race has always recognised.