:::Details of the giveaway towards the bottom of the post::

Romance Junkies recently came upon this unique interview conducted in 1892 by WOMANHOOD magazine in London. The relevance of gems is still the same today as it was in the past and so, we felt this article worth republishing.

Insights on coy Ring Sucking, the curses of Gem Collecting and the art of Acrostic Jewelery. An interview with Miss Scarlet Ruby Müller.

May 8th, 1892
Author: KYS Realm

This past Spring, WOMANHOOD magazine had the pleasure of interviewing Miss Scarlet Ruby Müller, the newest (and first female), member of The Elements Club. Based in London, The Elements Club is an investment group dedicated to scientific endeavours.

W: Many women are fascinated by the world of gemstones. What initiated your collection of minerals and earth samples?

Miss Müller: My father, Adelbert Eckhard Müller, is the Founder of Eckhard Earth and Fire, Ltd., which is a global mining holding company. With operations in every continent except Antarctica, I have travelled the world with my family to watch earth being turned inside-out. While a child, I collected earth samples and metals. Upon the age of fifteen, in honour of my name and the addition of a newly acquired Burmese ruby mining venture, my father gave me my very first gem, a blood-red ruby.

Burmese rubies are famous for their exceptional colouring, and it is the colour and the history of gems, metals, and earth that attracted me to start accumulating samples. From the bright blue of Afgan lapis lazuli, to the pale green of corroded copper, to the deep red from Spanish mercury, minerals paint the earth in bejeweled tones.

W: It has been said that “jewels are the symbols of heaven.” Would you agree?

Miss Müller: According to the Book of Revelation, the heavenly realm certainly values gems! In fact, throughout time different cultures have placed god-like reverence on various stones. With its many colour variations, and its ability to cast sparks, the Greeks called amber “electron,” meaning “the sun.” Within Buddhism, the diamond has special significance since Buddha is believed to have sat on a diamond throne after he attained enlightenment. And of course, many stones have been associated with special powers, such as the Chinese regarding jade as lucky and protective.

W: Do you believe that certain gems, for example diamonds, are cursed?

Miss Müller: I can assure you that my collection is not cursed! This is not to say that bad fortune clings to various stones, in particular diamonds. In general, it is the large, very beautiful gems that get curses attached to them and in almost all cases, the “curse” is only an example of mankind’s greed.

For instance, legend says the Koh-i-Noor Diamond was originally stolen from the god, Krishna. Thereafter, time and again, various rulers, Hindu, Rajput, British and more, have lusted for it, fought for it, and seized it until it now resides in the British Crown Jewels. Is it really the stone that is cursed, or humankind?

W: Do you think the rarity, size or brilliance of a gem attracts humans?

Miss Müller: I can only speak for me, and I believe the most precious thing about stones is not their rarity, but rather their stories. One of the prettiest opals in my collection comes from Australia. Like a stained-glass church window, this opal refracts a stunning array of colours and brilliance. It was sourced out of Queensland from a woman named Mrs. Isobel Robinson, who is a pub owner, storekeeper, gambler, courtesan, and opal trader. Her title is “The Eulo Queen,” and at the time I acquired the stone, she wore a gold belt that was four inches in height and studded with opals the size of pennies. Not every woman can claim to glitter while walking, but she did! I call that opal “The Queen” in honour of Mrs. Robinson.

W: Are any rare gems mined here in the Motherland?

Miss Müller: Scotland offers the richest history with finds of amethyst, agate, cairngorm, and garnet. My favorite jewel for this region is not one found in the earth; it is found in water–a pearl. Many people are not aware of the Highlander pearl fishermen who troll the fresh rivers to secure their treasures.

W: Pearls in fresh water?! I must admit I was unaware of such a thing. I thought all pearls were cultivated in salt water.

Miss Müller: It is interesting, is it not? Pearl fishermen are geniuses. If you show a pearl to a master fisherman, he can inform you which river it came from, since each fresh water pearl has different characteristics based on the source river’s mineral amalgamation. Sweet rose pink pearls from the Oykel River in Scotland are the most valuable, since they are very, very rare.

W: Your ring collection is most unique, as well as… your habit of sucking on rings whilst we speak! What are the origins of your jewelery?

Miss Müller: I have a ring for every major mine or metal production. Gold, silver, iron, copper, nickel, lead, zinc, manganese, aluminium and more. The rubies on my left, middle finger ring came from a mine in Burma, and the diamonds on my right forefinger ring came from the Cape Colony. My favorite ring to suck on is my right thumb ring. It was custom made in the United States by a jewelery named Johan, and it mixes metals in an elaborate design.

W: Would you be terribly offended if I ask you why you suck on the sides of your rings?

Miss Müller: Hmm… (laughs)…well, I admit I love the taste of metal. I find it oddly soothing.

W: Do any of your rings utilize a secret acrostic message?

Miss Müller: Not today, however I do own a plethora of acrostic-based jewelery, including an antique brooch from the Regency era that spells out “Dearest.” I dearly love combining and designing gems to spell out names and messages.

W: If you were given the opportunity, what acrostic jewelery would you create on behalf of Womanhood magazine?

Miss Müller: The magazine’s mantra is “An Illustrated Magazine of Literature, Science, Art, Medicine, Hygiene and the progress of Women.” A rather long message to craft in gems! I would shorten the essence of the publication to one word: “Progress.” Acrostic jewelery originated in France at the House of Mellerio dits Meller, so I will use French names of jewels to spell out the word in gems:

P. Perle
R. Rubis
O. Opale
G. Grenat
R. Rubis
E. Emeraude
S. Saphir
S. Saphir

W: What a brooch that would be!

Miss Müller: Indeed! Quite costly! Certainly not a brooch that my father would readily bestow upon me.

W: Perhaps a male reader might see your quarry and come forth with a solution? Your highly public reverse-marriage proposal incident certainly awakened interest from titled males in the community. Any “progress” being made in regards to a future romance?

Miss Müller: Heavens no! (laughs) That was just a bet between my father and I, of which I have clearly won. I am in London for business, not romance. Would you like to be taken on a world tour of gems and earth samples? The parlour awaits your review, if you would be so kind.

The interview with Miss Müller ended with the author being taken on a “world tour of gems.” For those fortunate enough to visit Miss Müller at her townhome in London, her collection of earth samples, metal balls and jewels is one of distinction that uniquely mixes the grand with the mundane and the refined with the uncivilized.

It should be noted that whilst a member of The Elements Club, Miss Müller hopes to speculate on further mining ventures that bring to light what is currently buried in earthen darkness. The staff at Womenhood eagerly await what treasures this young, vivacious women will emerge with in the near future. And while Miss Müller may deny the possibility of a romantic entanglement, this publication will be the first to report of any “sparkling” updates.**

ABOUT THE ELEMENTS CLUB:
Introducing the Rat Pack of the Victorian “Naughty Nineties”
Set in Victorian London between 1892-1897, The Elements Club follows the lives of various members as they each unlock the power of love and fortune.

Welcome to KYS REALM’s original historical romance transmedia series, THE ELEMENTS CLUB. Segment one, LORD OF LINGERING SHADOWS, premieres Thursday, January 24, 2013 with an e-book, a series of casual video games, 11 cliff-hanger episodes and member-only live events.
READ. WATCH. PLAY. GATHER.
http://www.KYStheElementsClub.com

ABOUT KYS REALM:
KYS Realm, (pronounced “Kiss Realm”), is a transmedia storyteller who cultivates digital realms that captivate audiences though a mix of soul, passion, and adventure.

ABOUT ACTRESS JULIA AKS (Scarlet Ruby Müller):
A trained opera singer, Julia Aks graduated from California State University, Northridge with a Special Major Bachelor’s degree in Contemporary Opera Performance. Also trained in dance, acting, and improvisation, Aks has performed in over 40 theatrical productions throughout Los Angeles. She was a semi-finalist in the The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion’s “Spotlight Awards,” and a two-time nominee for the Kennedy Center’s “Irene Ryan Theater Award.”
http://www.juliaaks.com

AUTHOR NOTE: For further information regarding the history of gems, consider reading JEWELS by Victoria Finlay

READ the first chapter of Lord of Lingering Shadows, the first segment of The Elements Club: http://www.kazapme.com/lord-of-lingering-shadows-chapter-1.html

Giveaway: Win a pack of 10 Victorian Calling Cards featuring the cast of The Elements Club and two (2) entrance tickets to Heritage Square Museum (value of $20.00) , the home of The Elements Club. Restricted to US residents only. How do you enter? Read through Miss Scarlet Ruby Müller Interview above. In the comments section post a question you would have asked her if you had been the interviewer and you are entered to win. The Heritage Square Museum is located in Los Angeles, CA so in your comments mention if you would like to win the playing cards or the tickets to Heritage Square Museum.

WATCH an exclusive preview of an episode of The Elements Club.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBHzlXqTJOk

THE ORIGINS OF PHONE SEX: Lord Hollingberry (Richard Halverson) unwittingly births a multi-million dollar industry while coaching Lord Wesbury (Matt Musgrove) in the art of seducing telephone operators.

TRAILER:http://www.youtube.com/theelementsclub