He
adds, that pale, blackish; violet, and split rubies are common, and of
little value. Those which are red asterias are prized on account of
their rarity.
The ancients gave many names to this beautiful gem.
Marbodio called it granaticus, from its colour being similar to that of the pomegranate.
Marbodius named it Antrax, which signifies burning carbon, because
of the vivid rays it emits when struck by the sun. In describing it, he
asserts that a very small gem of this kind was sold for a sum
equivalent to one thousand lire.
Pliny describes them by the name of carbuncle, or " carbunculi a similitudine ignis appellati."
Amongst the many varieties, he places carbunculi
