When Moses wished to engrave on the stones of the breastplate the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, he is said to have had recourse to the miraculous _shamir_. The names were first traced in ink on the stones, and the shamir was then passed over them, the result being that the traced inscriptions became graven on the stones. In proof of the magical character of this operation, no particles of the gems were removed in the process.[412] The name really designates “emery.” [Illustration: THE HEBREW HIGH-PRIEST ATTIRED WITH HIS VESTMENTS. (From Johann Braun’s “Vestitus Sacerdotum Hebræorum,” Amsterdam, 1680, opp. p. 822.)] An argument against the use of especially rare and costly stones in the decoration of the breastplate has been found in its probable size.[413] We are told that when folded it measured a span in each direction, and this would indicate that its length and breadth were each from eight to nine inches. In this case the stones themselves might have measured two by two and a half inches, and, in view of the number of characters required to express some of the tribal names, these dimensions do not seem excessive. It is highly improbable that in the time of Moses precious stones like the ruby, the emerald, or the sapphire would have been available in these dimensions. The difficulty of engraving very hard stones with the appliances at the command of the Hebrews of this period must also be taken into consideration. As we shall see, however, there is good reason to believe that after the Babylonian Captivity a new breastplate was made, and at that time it may have been easier to secure and work precious stones of great value and a high degree of hardness. We must also bear in mind that in those periods perfection was not so great a requisite as rich color. [Illustration: I, II, THE BREASTPLATE UNFOLDED. _A_, lower fold; _B, B, B, B_, rings for attachment to Ephod; _C_, the twelve gems in their settings; _D, D_, hooks for attachment to shoulder; _E, E_, bands to pass through rings in Ephod. III. EPHOD WITH BREASTPLATE FOLDED AND ATTACHED. _G, G_, rings through which pass bands of Breastplate; _H, H_, bands of Ephod. From Johann Braun’s “Vestitus Sacerdotum Hebræorum,” Amsterdam, 1680.]