topaz which he had had in his own possession weighing 29 carats, and engraved in Arabic with the motto, "No one accomplishes but God!' It was probably an amulet, such as are worn by-orientals of the present day, and which are called by the Arabs gri-gri.
Another celebrated engraved topaz represents Philip II. and Don Carlos. It is a white topaz, engraved by Jacopo da Trezzo.
The
house of Orleans had a very beautiful octagonal topaz engraved with a
Mercury; and in Turin, in the Generosio collection, was a celebrated
topaz intaglio, representing Victory enthroned in a chariot.
THE AMETHYST.
The oriental amethyst is a rare substance of magnificent lustre, and of a violet colour slightly tinted with red.
The
amethyst was the ninth stone in the breastplate of Aaron; and in
modern times it is the sacred stone which ornaments the cross and the
pastoral ring of Catholic bishops.
In
the inventory of the crown jewels of France, 1791, three superb
oriental amethysts are mentioned, one of which weighed 13-8/16 carats,
and was valued
at $1116.
But the greater part of the amethysts of commerce
