FINGER RINGS.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2978, 31 August 1878, Page 4

FINGER RINGS.

Rings, which are now considered as ornaments without meaning, except the weddingand engaged rings, were formerly looked upon as being full of significance. Certain stones were famed for their magical, value, whilst others represented virtues. The Poles, even to this day, believe that each and every month in the year is under the influence of a precious stone. As it has become customary among friends i and lovers to make reciprocal presents of trinkets, ornamented -with natal stones, the following list of the stones peculiar to each month may be of interest and. use wheu coupled with the meanings:—; January, garnet, constancy and fidelity; February, amethyst, sincerity; March, bloodstone, courage and presence of mind; April, diamond, innocence ; May, emerald, success in love matters; June, agate, health and long life; July, cornelian, contented mind.; August, sardonyx, conjugal felicity; September, chrysolite, antidote against madness; Octobes, opal, hope; November, topaz, fidelity; .December, turquoise, prosperity. As might be expected in so fanciful a matter, the moral qualities attributed to different authorities, and moreover other gems than those mentioned above have been set apart as emblems of the different months. Among many different nations rings have always been used as charms and talismans against the evil-eye and demons; also against debility, the power of flames, and air other "ills that human flesh is heir to." The virtues (according to belief) sometimes existed in the stones, and • sometimes in the device or inscription, or marginal letters engraved upon the ring. Inscriptions upon rings are now comparatively rare (with the exception of one case mentioned below), but in old times they were common. Ifc is supposed that the fashion of having mottoes, or " reasons," as they were called, was of Roman origin, for .the. young Romans gave-rings to their lady loves with mottoes cut on gems, such as "Eemember," "Good Luck to you," " Love me, and I will love thee." In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries the posy was inscribed vn the outside of the ring. This was revived a few years ago in the shape of having the word " Mizpah," engraved on rings, &c, which means " God be with you," and became very fashionable in England. . In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries the posy was placed inside the ring. Names are sometimes ! represented by means of the stone ; and the Prince of Wales, on his marriage to the Princess Alexandra, gave her a keeper with the stone> set so as to represent his familiar name of Bertie, as folJqws :—Beryl, Emerald, Ruby Turquoise, lacinth, Emerald."