In diving to the bottom of pleasure we bring up more gravel than pearls. – Honore de Balzac

[T]he hyacinth is like the tints of dawn passing from saffron to orange. – Charles Blanc, Art in Ornament and Dress, 1875, translated from French

There is in them a softer fire than the ruby, there is the brilliant purple of the amethyst, and the sea green of the emerald – all shining together in incredible union. Some by their splendor rival the colors of the painters, others the flame of burning sulphur or of fire quickened by oil. – Pliny, about the opal

The rarest things in the world, next to a spirit of discernment, are diamonds and pearls. – Jean de la Bruyere, translated from French