ABSTRACT
The original meaning of “yapha” is to be bright, to glow. Jewels, including lapis, emerald, ruby and so on, lend their names to colors, and the colors particularly of oil paints, which have a slight translucency and glow, and are often referred to as “jewel-like.” Jewels and crystals are often associated with the supernatural and are said to have healing powers or to reveal in their depths images of the future. Especially magnificent jewels are often believed to be cursed, which is not surprising considering the cupidity they arouse: theft and murder surround all types of valuable objects. Stones such as almandine garnet and sapphire may present star forms, due to inclusions, and jewels are often described as terrestrial stars. François Coty introduced another fundamental element of modern perfume when he asked the Art Nouveau jeweler Rene Lalique to design his bottles.
