Quantcast
  We apologize for any slow response. This will be fixed before October 31st Portal logo
Login/Register
Bactrian Gold Treasure from Afghanistan, coming soon....
/gemstones/king-gems-decorative-stones/page_101 - 2
 

Chrysoprasius, Chrysoprase

Chrysoprasius, Chrysoprase Page of 384 Chrysolithus, Oriental Topaz Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
92                   NATURAL HISTORY OF GEMS.
lucency of the last species seems to me to controvert his attribution. There can, however, be no doubt some variety of green Jasper was the stone in question.
Epiphanius mentions under " Chrysolithus" a variety, the Chrysopastus, or gold-spotted. This afterwards came to be confounded with the Chrysoprasius, for Marbodus makes two kinds of the latter—one that of Pliny, named from its resemblance to the leek-leaf, the other purple with golden spots. After these he makes a third, of a similarly-com­pounded name, the Chrysoprasion, which blazes by night, but resembles a piece of gold in the daytime, applying to it what Pliny (52) says of the Chrysolampis.
At the beginning of our century this beautiful stone was much in fashion, both set round with small brilliants for brooches and rings, and also singly for necklets and brace­lets. The paler pieces were coated on the back with ver­digris, to heighten their tint No other coloured gem so well becomes a blonde complexion. But it loses its beauty, fading away to a mere white Calcedony if long kept in a warm and dry place, or if constantly exposed to the light, still more rapidly if to the direct radiance of the sun.
Chrysoprasius, Chrysoprase Page of 384 Chrysolithus, Oriental Topaz
Suggested Illustrations
Other Chapters you may find useful
Other Books on this topic
bullet Tag
This Page