Quantcast
  Due to a new server, slow response may occur for which we apologize Portal logo
Login/Register
Bactrian Gold Treasure from Afghanistan, coming soon....
/gemstones/king-gems-decorative-stones/page_107 - 2
 

Chrysolithus, Oriental Topaz

Chrysolithus, Oriental Topaz Page of 384 Chrysolithus, Oriental Topaz Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
98        ·          NATURAL HISTORY OF GEMS.
terus, or more probably his Chrysoberyllus ; " a Beryl, paler green, which goes off into a golden lustre :" a de­scription applying indeed better to our Indian Chrysolite than to any species of the true Beryl. For Epiphanius states that it is found in the deep quarry or shaft (öñßáç äéðÅôñù), near Babylon ; and Dion. Periegetes notices as the sole productions of that region its vast palm-groves, and the " Beryl, enclosed in the rocks of Serpentine." Pow­dered, and taken in drink, it was held a panacea for all complaints of the chest and bowels. The modern Chryso-béryl (p. 51) when opalescent becomes the Cymophane (wave-shower), only found in Siberia, and the most beautiful of stones : a wave of silver floats upon its golden green surface as it is turned towards the light, and plays therein with the vivacity of the Opal. It evidently was unknown until quite recently, and is as yet extremely rare in jewelry, and fetches a very high price. (See Cat's-eye,)
Pliny's Craterites, or " Stone of Strength," of a tinge between the Chrysolithus and Amber, and noted for its extremely hard nature, may with reason be supposed, on the ground of the latter quality, only an epithet of the Oriental Topaz.
It would appear that all this class of stones were esteemed in proportion to the depth of orange they possessed, for yellow was certainly not a colour admired by the Rotuans, except in Jiair. Pliny notices, speaking of gold, that its colour was not esteemed the finest of all either in gems or in other things. This was therefore the reason why their engravers neglected so completely the Yellow Rock-crystal, whilst the Purple was such a favourite with them.
The mineralogists of the Lower Empire certainly applied the name Chrysolithus in the sense it bears at present. This is deducible from the remark of Epiphanius above quoted: and placed beyond a doubt by the definition of it
Chrysolithus, Oriental Topaz Page of 384 Chrysolithus, Oriental Topaz
Suggested Illustrations
Other Chapters you may find useful
Other Books on this topic
bullet Tag
This Page