|
158
|
PRECIOUS STONES.
|
||
|
|
|||
|
Cornwall the Garnet may be met with ; chiefly in greenstone. Dr. Rowland and M. Pomet—History of Druggs, 1669—tell
about " Granates," " they dry, and cure palpitation of the heart;
resist melancholy; stop spitting of blood ; dissolve tartar in the body
; and when hung about the neck are vulgarly believed to exercise these
same virtues." " There are divers sorts of Gems that are of the colour
of fire, as a Granate, a Hyacinth, etc.; therefore they call them '
Carbuncles,' from fire-coals."
The term Carbuncle is applied indiscriminately when Garnets are cut en cabochon;
or, (to use the old English expression)—" tallow-topped " ; cut, not in
facets, but with a flat, or hollow base, and a smooth convex top. The
old writers of the Middle Ages ascribe virtues to Carbuncles similar to
those which they attached to the Ruby.
"
Bareketh " (or " flashing stone ") was the Hebrew name for the
Carbuncle; this being derived from " barak,"—lightning ; it was a Stone
in the breastplate of the High Priest. Eastern Legends assert that a
Carbuncle was suspended by Noah, in the Ark, to diffuse light.
Carbuncles of superior brilliancy are termed " males," those of a
duller aspect are known as " females." When placed in a dark room the
Carbuncle presents a rose colour ; but if exposed to the open daylight
it glows like a burning coal; being held against the sun it has the
lustre of a flame. By reason of the deep red colour exhibited by most
Carbuncles it is necessary for the lapidary to cut them en cabochon ;
especially when the Stones are of any considerable size, so as to
display their rich hues by the light passing through a comparatively
thin stratum of the mineral. The Carbunculus of Pliny seems to have
included all
|
|||
|
|
|||