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than
true topaz, and more valuable. '"About forty years ago topaz was quite
popular as a gem, and commanded three or four times its present price.
At the present time a stone weighing several carats may be bought for
two or three dollars.
Topaz
is often referred to by ancient writers, and is mentioned in the Bible
as one of the stones to be put in the ephod of the high priest, as one
of the gems worn by the king of Tyre, and as forming one of the gates
of the Holy City. The gem referred to in these instances is, however,
the modern chrysolite, while where chrysolite is spoken of our topaz is
usually meant.
A
topaz presented by Lady Hildegarde, wife of Theoderic, Count of
Holland, to a monastery in her native town, emitted at night, according
to legend, a light so brilliant that in the chapel where it was kept
prayers could be read at night without the aid of a light; a statement
which might well be true if the monks knew the prayers by heart.
The
spiritual qualities associated with topaz are fruitfulness and
faithfulness. It is also said to confer cheerfulness upon its wearer.
The ancients believed that it calmed the passions and prevented bad
dreams; that it discovered poison by becoming obscured when in contact
with it; that it quenched the heat of boiling water, and that its
powers increased and decreased with the increase and decrease of the
moon. Also that a topaz held in the hand of a woman at childbirth
would lessen her suffering, and that powdered and taken in wine it
would cure asthma and insomnia.
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