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DIAMONDS IN LEGEND
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regarded
it as a cure-all stone. They placed it on the foreheads of the ill to
cool their fevers, the very coldness of the diamond suggesting
refrigerant power. Placed on the stomach, the doctors said, it cured
stomach trouble. Held tightly in the right hand it warded off mania.
Held tightly in the left hand it could stiffen the muscles until an
epileptic state ensued. Because of its hardness it also was said to
endow the wearer with superior strength and courage. Because of its
cold brilliance the diamond was regarded as a winter stone.
One
"superstition," actually based on fact, is that the diamond is
combustible. Sir Isaac Newton thought so and was laughed at. Newton's
theory was that the diamond was a coagulated fat, or oily body of
vegetable origin. Regardless of that, some cutters have known diamonds
to explode while being sawed or polished. This is particularly true of
some of the poorer grade of brown stones. It is rare, however,
particularly with modem methods of studying and grading the stones.
Superstition
undoubtedly gave rise to the various sentimental uses of the diamond
and other rings, especially with respect to the betrothal and wedding.
The oldest ring was made of iron, after that it was gold. The early
Anglo-Saxon suitor gave a gold ring and the keys to his house. The ring
sometimes was presented on the tip of the sword, meaning that the
knight would fight for his loved one. A ring on the third finger, left
hand, meant that since the Venus vein ran from this finger to the
heart, the bridegroom thereby figuratively put the golden ring around
the girl's heart. (It is probable that this is a more logical
explanation than the one ascribed to the Parisian oracle.) Another
explanation is that the third finger, left hand, is the weakest of all
and not useful independently. When worn on the little finger
(205)
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