Chapter Gem Alphabet to Gentleman Smith of G by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Gem Alphabet to Gentleman Smith

Gem Alphabet.

Transparent.	Opaque.
Amethyst	Agate
Beryl	Basalt
Chrysoberyl	Cacholong
Diamond	Diaspore
Emerald	Egyptian pebble
Felspar	Fire-stone
Garnet	Granite
Hyacinth	Heliotrope
Idocrase	Jasper
Kyanite	Krokidolite
Lynx-sapphire	Lapis-lazuli
Milk-opal	Malachite
Natrolite	Nephrite
Opal	Onyx
Pyrope	Porphyry
Quartz	Quartz-agate
Ruby	Rose-quartz
Sapphir	Sardonyx
Topaz	Turquoise
Unanite	Ultra- marine
Vesuvianite	Verd-antique
Water-sapphire	Wood-opal
Xanthite	Xylotile
Zirco	Zurlite

Gem of Normandy, Emma, daughter of Richard “the Fearless,” duke of Normandy. She first married Ethelred II. of England, and then Canute, but survived both, and died in 1052.

There is a story told that Emma was once brought to trial on various charges of public and private misconduct, but that she cleared herself by the ordeal of walking blindfold over red-hot ploughshares without being hurt.—E. A. Freeman: Old English History, 265.

Gem of the Ocean. Ireland is called by T. Moore “first gem of the ocean, first pearl of the sea.”

Gems Emblems of the Twelve Apostles.

Andrew, the bright blue sapphire, emblematic of his heavenly faith.

Bartholomew, the red carnelian, emblematic of his martyrdom.

James, the white chalcedony, emblematic of his purity.

James the Less, the topaz, emblematic of delicacy.

John, the emerald, emblematic of his youth and gentleness.

Matthew, the amethyst, emblematic of sobriety. Matthew was once a “publican,” but was “sobered” by the leaven of Christianity.

Matthias, the chrysolite, pure as sunshine.

Peter, the jasper, hard and solid as the rock of the Church.

Philip, the friendly sardonyx.

Simeon of Cana, the pink hyacinth, emblematic of sweet temper.

Thaddeus, the chrysoprase, emblematic of serenity and trustfulness.

Thomas, the beryl, indefinite in lustre, emblematic of his doubting faith.

Gems symbolic of the Months.

January, the jacinth or hyacinth, symbolizing constancy and fidelity.

February, the amethyst, symbolizing peace of mind and sobriety.

March, the blood-stone or jasper, symbolizing courage and success in dangerous enterprise.

April, the sapphire and diamond, symbolizing repentance and innocence.

May, the emerald, symbolizing success in love.

June, the agate, symbolizing long life and health.