Precious Stones Mentioned in the Plays of Shakespeare
Diamond
I see how thine eye would emulate the diamond. Merry Wives of Windsor, Act iii, sc. 3, l. 59.
“Comedies”, p. 58 [50], col. A, line 31.
DIAMOND
Give me the ring of mine you had at dinner, Or, for my diamond, the chain you promised. Comedy of Errors, Act iv, sc. 3. l. 70.
“Comedies”, p. 94, col. B, lines 61, 62.
DIAMOND
Sir, I must have that diamond from you.— There, take it. Comedy of Errors, Act v, sc. 1, l. 391.
“Comedies”, p. 99, col. B, line 58.
DIAMOND
A lady walled about with diamonds! Love’s Labour’s Lost, Act v, sc. 2, l. 3.
“Comedies”, p. 137, col. A, line 6.
DIAMOND
A diamond gone, cost me two thousand ducats in Frankfort! Merchant of Venice, Act iii, sc. 1, l. 87.
“Comedies”, p. 173, col. A, line 62.
DIAMOND
Set this diamond safe In golden palaces, as it becomes. Henry VI, Pt. I, Act v, sc. 3, l. 169.
“Histories”, p. 116, col. B, line 54.
DIAMOND
A heart it was, bound in with diamonds. Henry VI, Pt, II, Act iii, sc. 2, l. 107.
“Histories”, p. 134, col. A, line 46.
DIAMOND
Not deck’d with diamonds and Indian stones, Nor to be seen. Henry VI, Pt. III, Act iii, sc. 1, l. 63.
“Histories”, p. 158, col. B, line 25.
DIAMOND
One day he gives us diamonds, next day stones. Timon of Athens, Act iii, sc. 6, l. 131.
“Tragedies”, p. 89, col. B, line 56.
DIAMOND
This diamond he greets your wife withal. Macbeth, Act ii, sc. 1, l. 15.
“Tragedies”, p. 136, col. A, line II.
DIAMOND
Which parted thence, As pearls from diamonds dropp’d. King Lear, Act iv, sc. 3, l. 24.
Omitted in First Folio.
DIAMOND
This diamond was my mother’s; take it, heart; But keep it till you woo another wife. Cymbeline, Act i, sc. 1, l. 112.
“Tragedies”, p. 370, col. A, line 45.
DIAMOND
She went before others I have seen, as that diamond of yours outlustres many I have beheld. Cymbeline, Act i, sc. 4, l. 78.
“Tragedies”, p. 372, col. A, line 53.
DIAMOND
I have not seen the most precious diamond that is, nor you the lady. Cymbeline, Act i, sc. 4, l. 81.
“Tragedies”, p. 372, col. A, line 55.
DIAMOND
I shall but lend my diamond till your return. Cymbeline, Act. i, sc. 4, l. 153.
“Tragedies”, p. 372, col. B, line 59.
DIAMOND
My ten thousand ducats are yours; so is your diamond too. Cymbeline, Act i, sc. 4, l. 163.
“Tragedies”, p. 373, col. A, line 1.
DIAMOND
It must be married To that your diamond. Cymbeline, Act ii, sc. 4, l. 98.
“Tragedies”, p. 389 [379], col. A, lines 42, 43.
DIAMOND
That diamond upon your finger, say, How came it yours? Cymbeline, Act v, sc. 5, l. 137.
“Tragedies”, p. 396, col. A, line 51.
DIAMOND
To me he seems like diamond to glass. Pericles, Act ii, sc. 3, l. 36.
Third Folio, 1664, p. 7, col. B, line 38;
separate pagination.
DIAMOND
You shall, like diamonds, sit about his crown. Pericles, Act ii, sc. 4, l. 53.
Third Folio, 1664, p. 8, col. B, line 42.
DIAMOND
The diamonds of a most praised water
Do appear, to make the world twice rich. Pericles, Act iii, sc. 2, l. 102.
Third Folio, 1664, p. 11, col. B, line 13.
RUBY
The impression of keen whips I’ld wear as rubies. Measure for Measure, Act ii, sc. 4, l. 101.
“Comedies”, p. 69, col. B, line 63.
RUBY
Her nose, all o’er embellished with rubies, carbuncles, sapphires. Comedy of Errors, Act iii, sc. 2, l. 138.
“Comedies”, p. 92, col. A, line 49.
RUBY
Those be rubies, fairy favors. Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act ii, sc. 1, l. 12.
“Comedies”, p. 148, col. A, line 35.
RUBY
Over thy wounds now do I prophesy,—Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips. Julius Caæsar, Act iii, sc. 1, l. 260.
“Tragedies”, p. 120, col. B, lines 34, 35.
RUBY
And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks, When mine is blanch’d with fear. Macbeth, Act iii, sc. 4, l. 115.
“Tragedies”, p. 142, col. B, line 17.
RUBY
But kiss; one kiss! Rubies unparagon’d, How dearly they do’t! Cymbeline, Act ii, sc. 2, l. 17.
“Tragedies”, p. 376, col. B, line 18.
SAPPHIRE
Like sapphire, pearl and rich embroidery. Merry Wives of Windsor, Act v, sc. 5, l. 75.
“Comedies”, p. 51, col. A, line 66 (last).
SAPPHIRE
Her nose, all o’er embellished with rubies, carbuncles, sapphires. Comedy of Errors, Act iii, sc. 2, l. 138.
“Comedies”, p. 92, col. A, line 49.
CHRYSOLITE
If heaven would make me such another world Of one entire and perfect chrysolite. Othello, Act v, sc. 2, l. 145.
“Tragedies”, p. 337, col. A, line 5.
TURQUOISE
It was my turquoise; I had it of Leah when I was a bachelor. Merchant of Venice, Act iii, sc. 1, l. 126.
“Comedies”, p. 173, col. B, line 32.
OPAL
For thy mind is a very opal. Twelfth Night, Act ii, sc. 4, l. 77.
“Comedies”, p. 262, col. B, line 45.
AGATE (CAMEO)
An agate very vilely cut. Much Ado About Nothing, Act iii, sc. 1, l. 65.
“Comedies”, p. 110, col. A, line 25.
AGATE (CAMEO)
His heart like an agate with your print impress’d. Love’s Labour’s Lost, Act ii, sc. 1, l. 236.
“Comedies”, p. 127, col. B, line 62 (last).
AGATE (CAMEO)
I was never manned with an agate till now. II Henry IV, Act i, sc. 2, l. 19.
“Histories”, p. 76, col. B, line 10.
AGATE (CAMEO)
Agate-ring, pirke-stocking, caddis-garter, smooth-tongue. I Henry IV, Act ii, sc. 4, l. 78.
“Histories”, p. 56, col. A, line 53.
AGATE (CAMEO)
In shape no bigger than an agate-stone On the forefinger of an alderman. Romeo and Juliet, Act i, sc. 4, l. 55.
“Tragedies”, p. 57, col. A, lines 20, 21.
AMBER
Her amber hair for foul hath amber quoted. Love’s Labour’s Lost, Act iv, sc. 3, l. 87.
“Comedies”, p. 133, col. A, line 52.
AMBER
With amber bracelets, beads, and all this knavery. Taming of the Shrew, Act iv, sc. 3, l. 58.
“Comedies”, p. 223, col. B, line 62.
AMBER
Their eyes purging thick amber and plum-tree gum. Hamlet, Act ii, sc. 2, l. 201.
“Tragedies”, p. 261, col. B, line 42.
CORAL
Of his bones are coral made. The Tempest, Act i, sc. 2, l. 397.
“Comedies”, p. 5, col. A, line 54.
CORAL
I saw her coral lips to move. Taming of the Shrew, Act i, sc. 1, l. 179.
“Comedies”, p.211, col. B, line 57.
JET
There is more difference between thy flesh and hers than between jet and ivory. Merchant of Venice, Act iii, sc. 1, l. 42.
“Comedies”, p. 173, col. A, line 18.
JET
What color is my gown of?—Black, forsooth: coal-black as jet. II Henry VI, Act ii, sc. 1, l. 112.
“Histories”, p. 126, col. B, line 61.
JET
Two proper palfreys, black as jet, To hale thy vengeful waggon swift away. Titus Andronicus, Act v, sc. 2, l. 50.
“Tragedies”, p. 49, col. B, line 7.
CARBUNCLE
Her nose, all o’er embellished with rubies, carbuncles, sapphires. Comedy of Errors, Act iii, sc. 2, l. 138.
“Comedies”, p. 92, col. A, line 49.
CARBUNCLE
A carbuncle entire, as big as thou art, Were not so rich a jewel. Coriolanus, Act i, sc. 4, l. 55.
“Tragedies”, p. 5, col. B, line 7.
CARBUNCLES
O’er sized with coagulate gore, With eyes like carbuncles. Hamlet, Act ii, sc. ii, l. 485.
“Tragedies”, p. 263, col. B, line 50.
CARBUNCLE
Were it carbuncled Like holy Phœbus’ car. Antony and Cleopatra, Act iv, sc. 8, l. 28.
“Tragedies”, p. 360, col. B, line 57.
CARBUNCLE
Had it been a carbuncle Of Phœbus’ wheel. Cymbeline, Act v, sc. 5, l. 189.
“Tragedies”, p. 396, col. B, line 41.
EMERALD
In emerald tufts, flowers purple, blue, and white. Merry Wives of Windsor, Act v, sc. 5, l. 74.
“Comedies”, p. 51, col. A, line 65.
PEARLS
Full fathom five thy father lies; Of his bones are coral made; Those are pearls that were his eyes. Tempest, Act i, sc. 2, l. 398.
“Comedies”, p. 5, col. A, lines 51-33.
PEARLS
She is mine own, And I as rich in having such a jewel As twenty seas, if all their sand were pearl. Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act ii, sc. 4, l. 170.
“Comedies”, p. 26, col. B, lines 34-36.
PEARLS
A sea of melting pearl, which some call tears. Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act iii, sc. 1, l. 224.
“Comedies”, p. 30, col. B, line 2.
PEARLS
But pearls are fair; and the old saying is, Black men are pearls in beauteous ladies’ eyes ’Tis true; such pearls as put out ladies’ eyes. Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act v, sc. 2, l. 11.
“Comedies”, p. 36, col. B, lines 10-12.
PEARLS
Like sapphire, pearl and rich embroidery Buckled below fair knighthood’s bending knee. Merry Wives of Windsor, Act v, sc. 5, l. 75.
“Comedies”, p. 51, col. A, lines 65, 66 (last).
PEARLS
Laced with silver, set with pearls Much Ado About Nothing, Act iii, sc. 4, l. 20.
“Comedies”, p. 112, col. B, line 65.
PEARLS
Fire enough for a flint, pearl enough for a swine. Love’s Labour’s Lost, Act iv, sc. 2, l. 91.
“Comedies”, p. 132, col. A, line 11.
This and these pearls to me sent Longaville. Love’s Labour’s Lost, Act v, sc. 2, l. 53.
“Comedies”, p. 137, col. A, line 59.
PEARLS
Will you have me, or your pearl again? Neither of either. Love’s Labour’s Lost, Act v, sc. 2, l. 458.
Comedies”, p. 140, col. B, line 58.
PEARLS
Decking with liquid pearl the bladed grass. Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act i, sc. 1, l. 211.
“Comedies”, p. 147, col. A, line 6.
PEARLS
I must go seek some dewdrops here And hang a pearl in every cowslip’s ear. Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act ii, sc. 1, l. 15.
“Comedies”, p. 148, col. A, line 38.
PEARLS
That same dew, which sometime in the buds Was wont to swell like round and orient pearls. Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act iv, sc. 1, l. 57.
“Comedies”, p. 157, col. B, lines 9, 10.
PEARLS
Rich honesty dwells like a miser, sir, in a poor house; as your pearl in your foul oyster. As You Like It, Act v, sc. 4, l. 63.
“Comedies”, p. 206, col. A, line 12.
PEARLS
Their harness studded all with gold and pearl. Taming of the Shrew, Introd., sc. 2, l. 44.
“Comedies”, p. 209, col. B, line 33.
PEARLS
Fine linen, Turkey cushions boss’d with pearls Valance of Venice gold. Taming of the Shrew, Act ii, sc. 1, l. 355.
“Comedies”, p. 217, col. B, line 32.
PEARLS
Why, sir, what ‘cerns it you if I wear pearl and gold? Taming of the Shrew, Act v, sc. 1, l. 77.
“Comedies”, p. 227, col A, line 22.
PEARLS
This pearl she gave me, I do feel’t and see’t. Twelfth Night, Act iv, sc. 3, l. 2.
“Comedies”, p. 271, col. B, line 61.
PEARLS
Draws those heaven-moving pearls from his poor eyes. King John, Act ii, sc. 1, l. 169.
“Histories”, p. 4, col. B, line 55.
PEARLS
Our chains and our jewels.— Your brooches, pearls and ouches. II Henry IV, Act ii, sc. 4, l. 53.
“Histories”, p. 82, col. B, line 28.
PEARLS
The crown imperial, The intertissued robe of gold and pearl. Henry V, Act iv, sc. 1, l. 279.
“Histories”, p. 85 (bis, number repeated), col. B,
line 13.
PEARLS
Wedges of gold, great anchors, heaps of pearl, Inestimable stones, unvalued jewels. Richard III, Act i, sc. 4, l. 26.
“Histories”, p. 180, col. A, line 12.
PEARLS
The liquid drops of tears that you have shed Shall come again, transform’d to orient pearl. Richard III, Act iv, sc. 4, l. 322.
“Histories”, p. 198, col. A, lines 16, 17.
PEARLS
Her bed is India; there she lies, a pearl. Troilus and Cressida, Act i, sc. 1, l. 103.
“Histories”, page irregularly numbered 79,
col. A, line 8. P. 589 of facsimile.
PEARLS
She is a pearl Whose price hath launch’d above a thousand ships. Troilus and Cressida, Act ii, sc. 2, l. 81.
Unnumbered page, 596 of facsimile, col. A, line 19.
PEARLS
I will be bright, and shine in pearl and gold. Titus Andronicus, Act ii, sc. 1, l, 19.
“Tragedies”, p. 35, col. B, line 30.
PEARLS
This is the pearl that pleased your empress’ eye. Titus Andronicus, Act v, sc. 1, l. 42.
“Tragedies”, p. 48, col. A, line 21.
PEARLS
I see thee compass’d with thy kingdom’s pearl. Macbeth, Act v, sc. 8, l. 56.
“Tragedies”, p. 151, col. B, line 32.
PEARLS
Hamlet, this pearl is thine. Hamlet, Act v, sc. 2, l. 293.
“Tragedies”, p. 281, col. A, line 15.
PEARLS
What guests were in her eyes; which parted thence,
As pearls from diamonds dropp’d. Lear, Act iv, sc. 3, l. 24.
Omitted in First Folio.
PEARLS
Like the base Indian, 30 threw a pearl away Richer than all his tribe. Othello, Act v, sc. 2, l. 347.
“Tragedies”, p. 338, col. B, line 53.
PEARLS
He kiss’d,—the last of many doubled kisses,— This orient pearl. Antony and Cleopatra, Act i, sc. 5, l. 41.
“Tragedies”, p. 344, col. B, lines 22, 23.
PEARLS
I’ll set thee in a shower of gold, and hail Rich pearls upon thee. Antony and Cleopatra, Act ii, sc. 5, l. 46.
“Tragedies”, p. 348, col. B, lines 10, 11.
ROCK-CRYSTAL
His mistress Did hold his eyes lock’d in her crystal looks. Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act ii, sc. 4, l. 89.
“Comedies”, p. 26, col. A, line 17.
ROCK-CRYSTAL
Methough all his senses were lock’d in his eye As jewels in crystal for some prince to buy. Love’s Labour’s Lost, Act ii, sc. 1, l. 243.
“Comedies”, p. 128, col. A, lines 6, 7.
ROCK-CRYSTAL
One, her hairs were gold, crystal the other’s eyes. Idem, Act iv, sc. 3, l. 142.
“Comedies”, p. 133, line 46.
ROCK-CRYSTAL
To what, my love, shall I compare thine eye? Crystal is muddy. Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act iii, sc. 2, l. 139.
“Comedies”, p. 154, col. A, line 54.
ROCK-CRYSTAL
With these crystal beads heaven shall be bribed To do him justice. King John, Act ii, sc. 1, l. 171.
“Histories”, p. 4, col. B, lines 57, 58.
ROCK-CRYSTAL
The more fair and crystal is the sky, The uglier seem the clouds that in it fly. Richard II, Act i, sc. 1, l. 41.
“Histories”, p. 23, col. A, line 41 (last).
ROCK-CRYSTAL
Go, clear thy crystals. Henry V, Act ii, sc. 3, l. 56.
“Histories”, p. 75, col. B, line 65.
ROCK-CRYSTAL
Comets, importing change of times and states, Brandish your crystal tresses in the sky. I Henry VI, Act i, sc. 1, l. 3.
“Histories”, p. 96, col. A, lines 2, 3.
ROCK-CRYSTAL
But in that crystal scales let there be weigh’d Your lady’s love against some other maid. Romeo and Juliet, Act i, sc. 2, l. 101.
“Tragedies”, p. 55, col. B, lines 51, 52.
ROCK-CRYSTAL
Thy crystal window ope; look out. Cymbeline, Act v, sc. 4, l. 81.
“Tragedies”, p. 394, col. A, line 12.
The following table is arranged according to the frequency of precious stone mentions. 31
The plays rank as follows:
| First published | Probably written | ||
| 1623 | 1609 | Cymbeline | 10 (diamond 7, ruby 1, carbuncle 1, rock-crystal 1). |
| 1598. | 1591. | Love’s Labour’s Lost | 8 (pearl 3, rock-crystal 2, diamond 1, amber 1, agate 1). |
| 1600 | 1597 | Merry Wives Of Windsor | 5 (pearl 1, diamond 2, emerald 1, sapphire 1). |
| 1623 | 1591. | Comedy of Errors | 5 (diamond 2, ruby 1, sapphire 1, carbuncle 1) |
| 1600. | 1595. | Midsummer Night’s Dream | 5 (pearl 3, ruby 1, rock-crystal 1). |
| 1623. | 1596. | Taming of the Shrew | 5 (pearl 3, amber 1, coral 1). |
| 1623. | 1591. | Two gentlemen of Verona | 4 (pearl 3, rock-crystal 1). |
| 1594. | 1593. | Titus Andronicus | 3 (pearl 2, jet 1). |
| 1603 | 1602 | Hamlet | 3 (pearl, amber, carbuncle). |
| 1623 | 1606 | Macbeth | 3 (diamond, ruby, pearl). |
| 1609 | 1607 | Pericles | 3 (all diamond). |
| 1623 | 1608 | Antony and Cleopatra | 3 (pearl 2, carbuncle 1). |
| 1597 | 1591 | Romeo and Juliet | 2 (rock-crystal, agate). |
| 1623 | 1592 | I Henry VI | 2 (diamond and rock-crystal). |
| 1623 | 1592 | II Henry VI | 2 (diamond and jet). |
| 1597 | 1592-3 | Richard III | 2 (both pearl). |
| 1600 | 1594 | Merchant of Venice | 2 (turquoise, jet). |
| 1623 | 1594 | King John | 2 (pearl, rock-crystal). |
| 1623 | 1597 | II Henry IV | 2 (pearl, agate). |
| 1600 | 1598 | Henry V | 2 (pearl, crystal). |
| 1600 | 1599 | Much Ado About Nothing | 2 (pearl, agate). |
| 1623 | 1599 | Twelfth Night | 2 (pearl, opal). |
| 1609 | 1603 | Troilus and Cressida | 2 (both pearl). |
| 1622 | 1604 | Othello | 2 (pearl, chrysolite). |
| 1608 | 1606 | Lear | 2 (pearl, diamond). |
| 1623 | 1611 | Tempest | 2 (pearl, coral). |
| 1623 | 1592 | III Henry VI | 1 (diamond). |
| 1597 | 1593 | Richard II | 1 (rock-crystal). |
| 1598 | 1597 | I Henry IV | 1 (agate). |
| 1623 | 1599 | As You Like It | 1 (pearl). |
| 1623 | 1601 | Julius Cæsar | 1 (ruby). |
| 1623 | 1604 | Measure for Measure | 1 (ruby). |
| 1623 | 1607 | Timon of Athens | 1 (diamond). |
| 1623 | 1608 | Coriolanus | 1 (carbuncle). |
Notes
30 “Iudean” in text.
31 Data of first publication contributed by Miss Henrietta C. Bartlett.