Many of our readers are aware that there are _name-rings_, in which the first letter attaching to each jewel employed will make a loved one’s name or a sentiment. In the formation of English rings of this kind, the terms _Regard_ and _Dearest_ are common. Thus illustrated:--R(_uby_) E(_merald_) G(_arnet_) A(_methyst_) R(_uby_) D(_iamond_).--D(_iamond_) E(_merald_) A(_methyst_) R(_uby_) E(_merald_) S(_apphire_) T(_opaz_). It is believed that this pretty notion originated (as many pretty notions do) with the French. The words which the latter generally play with, in a combination of gems, are _Souvenir_ and _Amitié_, thus: S(_aphir_ or _S_ardoine) O(_nix_ or _O_pale) U(_raine_) V(_ermeille_) E(_meraude_) N(_atralithe_) I(_ris_) R(_ubis_ or _R_ose diamant).--A(_méthiste_ or _A_igue-marine) M(_alachite_) I(_ris_) T(_urquoise_ or _T_opaze) I(_ris_) E(_meraude_). Here are the alphabetical French names of precious stones:[98] A. Améthiste. Aigue-marine. B. Brilliant. Diamant, désigniant la même pierre. C. Chrisolithe. Carnaline. Chrisophrase. D. Diamant. E. Emeraude. F. (_Pas de pierre connue._) G. Grenat. H. Hiacinthe. I. Iris. J. Jasper. K. (_Pas de pierre connue._) L. Lapis lazuli. M. Malachite. N. Natralithe. O. Onix. Opale. P. Perle. Peridot. Purpurine. Q. (_Pas de pierre connue._) R. Rubis. Rose diamant. S. Saphir. Sardoine. T. Turquoise. Topaze. U. Uraine. V. Vermeille (_espèce de grenat jaune_). X. Xépherine. Y. Z. (_Pas de nous connus._) Kobell says,[99] “In _name-rings_, in which a name is indicated by the initial letter of different gems, the emerald is mostly used under its English and French name (_Emeraude_) to stand for _e_, which would otherwise not be represented. (The German name is _Smaragd_.) While on this point, it may be mentioned that a difficulty occurs with _u_, but recent times have furnished a name which may assist, namely, a green garnet, containing chrome, from Siberia, which has been baptized after the Russian Minister Uwarrow, and called _Uwarrovite_.” The Poles have a fanciful belief that each month of the year is under the influence of a precious stone, which influence has a corresponding effect on the destiny of a person born during the respective month. Consequently it is customary among friends and lovers, on birth-days, to make reciprocal presents of trinkets ornamented with the natal stones. The stones and their influences, corresponding with each month, are supposed to be as follows: