The agate is a variety of chalcedony. It is named from the river Achates, in Sicily. A hard stone, of striped or cloudy coloring, it is often yellow or tawny brown. Shakespeare in _Romeo and Juliet_ uses the agate in a ring to indicate the size of Queen Mab, who—before Freud brought us other fancies—was the bringer of dreams: She is the fairies’ midwife, and she comes In shape no bigger than an agate-stone On the forefinger of an alderman ... In her coach, Queen Mab gallops by night Through lovers’ brains, and then they dream of love; O’er courtiers’ knees, that dream on curtsies straight; O’er lawyers’ fingers, who straight dream on fees; O’er ladies’ lips, who straight on kisses dream. _Alexandrite_ The stone alexandrite was given its name from Alexander II (1818-1881), Czar of all the Russias, in whose realm it was found. It is a variety of chrysoberyl, containing chromium. It has the interesting quality of being dark green in daylight, but under artificial illumination glowing a brilliant red. These were the national colors of Russia, the green standing for felicity, the red for humanity. _Amethyst_ The amethyst is a variety of quartz—often called the queen of quartz—purple or violet in color. It is one of the earliest stones found in jewelry and has been used in every period. It is especially attractive in combination with gold and pearls. People as early as the Greeks have used the amethyst as a talisman against intoxication. In 1502, Camilli Leonardi observed that the amethyst protected the mild drinker and cautioned its wearer against excess; but when its warnings were unheeded, the stone grew wan and died. There is no question, as I can testify from my direct observation, that continuing drunkenness of its wearer will cause an amethyst (like a person) to grow dull. A motion picture star, well known all over the world—her life recorded in a major film—some time ago was in quest of an unusual necklace. At the time, I was in Hollywood as jewelry consultant to a motion picture company. As I happened to be staying at the same hotel as this actress, we often went to the studio together, and we became rather friendly. When she mentioned to me that she had been looking for a necklace that was distinctive and personalized, I told her that her complexion and hair coloring made it desirable—in my mind, almost mandatory—for her to have the jewel made of deep purple Uruguayan amethysts combined with diamonds. That night I made a sketch of such a jewel, and sent it to her the next morning. She was enchanted. So was the Hollywood jeweler who was entrusted with the making of the necklace from my design, for it was a great success, the talk of the season in the movie colony.