Legends and Superstitions

The magic and mystery of gemstones are caught and held in the age-old legends and superstitions that still exist today. For every unattractive superstition there is a pleasant one to counteract it and that is how it should be, for jewellery is surely an expression of love, whether given as a present or bequeathed as a memento.

The folklore of gemstones would make an enormous tapestry, unfortunately too vast to recreate, but certain legends merit being picked out because of their universal interest.

The opal is probably the gem that is most talked of in the context of ill-luck and there is a simple explanation as to how this may have come about. In 1829 Sir Walter Scott wrote a novel called ANNE OF GEIERSTEIN, much of it concerning the Lady Hermione. She always wore a certain gem in her hair when she appeared on the social scene, because it seemed to have the magic power of emphasising her grace and vitality and when she removed it, these qualities faded. This diamond jewelry was also influenced by her moods and shone more brightly when she was happy or blazed with colour when she was angry. Her great fear was that liquid might ruin the jewel and this caused a rival to accuse her of witchcraft. In order to quash the rumour, Lady Hermione's husband took her to a service in the family chapel and insisted on sprinkling her forehead with holy water. The worst happened. A drop fell on the gemstone, it shot forth a brilliant flash like a falling star, then instantly changed into a common pebble. Hermione fell dead on the chapel floor and both she and the gem became a heap of ashes.

Opal Sale

Although Sir Walter Scott never mentioned the actual name of the gem, certain characteristics of  platinum diamond wedding bands were described to make readers think in terms of the opal. Because Sir Walter Scott was as influential in his day as are the press and television today, the story was so widely spread that the sale of opals declined for many years after its publication. However, a superstition going back to Roman Times maintains that the opal was probably one of the luckiest of gems. Its colours are the same as those seen in the rainbow, recognised by the Romans to be the symbol of hope, as it is today. This ancient belief is surely most appropriate for the modern world.
 
A legend that may explain why pearls are associated with tears dates back to the days of early Christianity. The simple people of those times had no knowledge as to the origin of pearls and thought they were the tears of angels shed for the sins of mankind and lodged in the depths of the sea. Moslems believe that the trees of paradise are hung with pearls, as told in the Koran. Long ago Arabs and Persians thought that pearls would help cure insanity.

First Use Of Diamonds

The first use of diamonds is presumed to be India where tiny diamonds were sprinkled over a baby's head at its naming ceremony. By so doing, the child assumed the qualities of virtue and purity. This gemstone has the legendary power of protecting the wearer from evil, especially when worn on the left side. This belief could have added to its popularity as an engagement ring. Diamonds are bound up with love and marriage and it is said that the gift of a diamond will 'quicken the affection and restore love between husband and wife'.

There is a delightful and encouraging legend connected with the ruby. In the 13th century the then King of Siam was said to own a fabulous ruby, the size of a man's hand, and it was thought to have the power of loose diamonds prolonging youth. Each night and morning the King rubbed the priceless ruby over his face and neck. He died at the age of ninety and still had the complexion of a young man, without a blemish or wrinkle.

Superstitions About Gemstones

The Middle Ages abounded with superstitions about gemstones. It was thought that the power of a ruby was so great that, if placed in a bowl of cold water, its inner heat would make the water boil. Conversely, the topaz was said to chill boiling water in an instant.
During the Renaissance the topaz was held to have the unusual power of giving light in the dark, so much so, that a topaz owned by a Dutch count was known to light up the chapel where it was kept with such brilliance that prayers could be read without the aid of a lamp. Pursuing the idea that gemstones could provide light, there is a legend that Noah lit the Ark by means of a garnet.

Of course, there is the long-held belief that gemstones ward off sickness, and this was very much in evidence during the Middle Ages. For example, it was thought that garnets were a remedy for a feverish illness. The Zircon was popular in the 14th century as a safeguard against the Black Death and diamonds were also thought to be a protection against plague.

At this time the opal was known as opthalmioe, or eye-stone. When wrapped in a bayleaf and worn constantly it was thought to improve the eyesight. The emerald has had a connection with eyes for centuries past. This could be considered as part of the reason why green is supposed to be the most restful colour for the eyes. Going back to Roman times, Nero, who had very bad vision, was said to use a slice of emerald to improve his sight while watching the gladiators in the arena.

Gemstones And Poison Protection

The idea that gemstones relieved poisons is reflected in the belief that if an emerald was worn when someone had been given poison, that person would immediately break into a sweat which cleared the system. It was also thought that swallowing a draught of powdered agate cured snakebite.

Illness has always been a preoccupation of many people. Further beliefs in the medicinal power of gemstones include the ruby as relieving pain and curing rheumatism. The agate was supposed to be an aid for lung troubles and if an amethyst was worn it would ward off drunkenness. The sapphire when powdered and actually taken in milk was thought to alleviate hysteria. For prevention against asthma and insomnia, powdered topaz was a recommended remedy.

In'Medieval times people thought that gemstones lost their brilliance when ill-fortune was forecast and only regained their lustre when the future looked brighter; amazingly this mistaken idea persists today. The theory that loose diamonds change colour is completely unfounded and must be regarded as a misconception. If there is a variation in colour the difference is caused by certain factors including varying lights because of weather conditions, the time of day or shadow due to artificial light. Experts agree that this fallacy of colour change in gemstones must be exposed as nothing more than an old wives' tale.

The subject of superstitions and legends is time-absorbing. The following are chosen at random and pose fascinating assumptions. One of them, dating back to ancient times, alleged that sardonyx was of special benefit to orators, lawyers and bashful suitors. A story is told of a penniless young lawyer who could only afford to rent a ring of red and white banded sardonyx to wear at the hearing of his first case. After some stormy proceedings the power of the sardonyx was so great that the young man won the trial, acquired success and presumably could buy his own sardonyx. During the 17th century, most gentlemen of quality wore a turquoise ring as it was believed that in the case of a fall from a horse or some height, the turquoise would absorb the force of the impact, so that the owner would not suffer any broken bones. Amber was sometimes called sunstone and was thought to be the hardened tears of the weeping daughters of the sun-god, Apollo.

A final superstition found in ancient lore encom¬passes all gemstones, maintaining that in order to bring good luck a gemstone must be given freely, never coveted and never taken by fraud or force.