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NATURAL HISTORY OF GEMS.
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point
of view is ever to be found in this stone : the only tolerable intaglio
in Hematite that has come under my notice being a bust of Abundantia,
in the Marlborough Cabinet. "Yet its texture is compact, takes a high
polish of a steely lustre agreeable to the eye, which in spite of its
comparative softness it retains unimpaired by time.
The name Sideritis was
also employed to distinguish one species of the Adamas : the electric
property of the one being confounded with the attractive of the other.
Similarly we find the name Androdamas equally applied to both
species. The Adamas (whether the Diamond or Pale Sapphire), in virtue
of its superior value, was believed not merely to greatly surpass the
Loadstone in attractive force, but even by its presence entirely to
deprive the other of its natural powers. (' Precious Stones,' p. 102.)
The
Haematites, included by Pliny under the head of " Magnes," was the
reddish-brown compact iron-ore still so-called, and used in the
burnishing of metals, especially for smoothing down the surface of the
gold-leaf in gilding and damascening. The best kind was procured by the
ancients from Zmiri, in Ethiopia ; at present Compostella supplies all
the jewellers of Europe. The only use the ancients made of this mineral
was, burnt and powdered, in eye-salves : its astringent quality being
doubtless of some efficacy in relieving inflammation of that organ. A
curious but fanciful test of the true Haematites lay in its attractive
power being restricted to the common Magnet, and not acting upon any
other metal.
Orpheus
extols (302) the virtue of the Loadstone as conciliating to the wearer
the love both of gods and men ;* and prescribes it as a sure test for
ascertaining if a wife has been faithful to her lord during his
absence, for if put
* A belief indicated by the subject, the Three Graces, rery frequently to be seen engraved upon this stone.
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