Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 January 1893 — The Opal. [ARTICLE]

The Opal.

There are three varieties of this famous gem. Ranking tirst comes the Oriental; as second in value, the fire; and, lastly, the common opal. The affection for this precious treasure, as expressed by the ancients, can hardly be belie/ed. Nonnius, a Roman Senator, absolutely • preferred exile to parting with a brilliant opal of the size of a filbert, which was earnestly coveted by Mare Antony. An opal ranking as third among the finest in the world is described as having three longitudinal bands of the harlequin kind, from the uppermost of which rose perpendicularly the most resplendent flames. It measured nine inches by six. In the last century a very round and brilliant opal was the property of the amateur Fleurv. Another, said to be fascinatingly vivid, was owned by s noted French financier. These two were regarded as marvels of beauty among gems. On'account of the thousand fissures of the stone, engraving is alway. difficult, and often impossible. A head of Sappho engraved upon a “ presumable opal.” an antique, has been highly valued and carefully studied by experts in gem lore. It is catalogued, so we read, among the treasures of a princely home.— [Harper’s Bazar.