ESSONITE, CINNAMON-STONE.
This gem was formerly considered identical with hyacinth, under which name it yet passes in commerce and among manufacturing jewellers, and in France it is called hyacinth de Ceylon; it
is also called, in mineralogical works, cannel or cinnamon stone, which
name it received from the Dutch gem-dealers, on account of its
resemblance to the oil of cinnamon. Werner was the first who gave this
stone the ahove name.
'Essonite
occurs in crystals and grains ; its fracture is conchoidal and uneven ;
it is transparent and translucent ; has simple refraction of light ;
the lustre is between vitreous and resinous ; its color is deep-red,
hyacinth-red, or orange-yellow ; it scratches glass and quartz
indifferently, but is attacked by topaz; its powder is white; specific
gravity is 3-5 to 3'6 ; it becomes electric by rubbing ; acts sometimes on the magnetic needle ; fuses easily before the
