Brazil;
but the exact locality in none of these countries has yet been
ascertained by writers. Kunz states that all the chrysolite sold in
modern times is taken out of old jewelry, often two centuries old, so
that it is likely that the old localities are either forgotten or
exhausted. Recently, however, quite an amount of good chrysolite has
come from a locality in Upper Egypt, near the Red Sea, and this is
doubtless one of the old sources of supply. The chrysolites at present
available are not of very large size, rarely exceeding an inch in
diameter. They are, however, of fine color and transparency, and make
a desirable gem when not exposed to hard usage. For ring stones they
scratch and wear away too easily. Excellent small chrysolites come from
Arizona and New Mexico, being found in sand in connection with the
pyrope garnets previously mentioned. The chrysolite is locally called
"Job's tears," on account of its pitted appearance. Chrysolite is an
essential constituent of meteorites, and the grains sometimes occur in
these bodies of sufficient size and transparency to be cut into gems of
about a carat each. Such stones have a peculiar interest on account of
their origin.
Chrysolite
is frequently mentioned in the Bible and in ancient literature; but it
is pretty certain that much of the chrysolite so named was our topaz.
If this is true, the chrysolite of the ancients was found on the island
of Topazios, in the Red Sea. Diodones Siculus says of the stone there
that it was not discernible by day, but was bright at night, so that it
could be seen by patrols. They would cover the luminous spot with a
vase, and the next day come and cut out the rock at the place
indicated, when, upon polishing, the gem would appear. The name
chrysolite was also applied in former times to a number of other yellow
gems, such as zircon and beryl, stones of a similar color being then
usually classed together. Powdered chrysolite was used as a remedy for
asthma, and held under the tongue was believed to lessen thirst in
fever.
