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Topazius, Peridot

Topazius, Peridot Page of 384 Zmilampis, Cat's-eye Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
318
NATURAL HISTORY OF GEMS.
easily effected by closely enveloping the stone ready cut and polished in German tinder, firmly bound with fine wire ; this being kindled, when thoroughly burnt out the colour of the Topaz will be found converted to a clear rose without the least detriment to its original texture or polish. But if the roasting be carried too far it extracts all colour, and the stone assumes the whiteness and lustre of the Novas Minas sort, the so-called " Slave's Diamond." An extremely rare variety of the Brazilian Topaz, shows an indigo blue, but with a peculiar tint that ever at first sight distinguishes it from the Sapphire. The finest specimen in existence belonged to Mr. Hope, weighing 1-1/4 ounce, and was brought by Mawe from Brazil : previously it was unknown in Europe. The mine had only been discovered during Mawe's residence there. The Siberian blue is paler. The White Topaz, better known as the " Novas Minas," is per­fectly colourless and very brilliant. It greatly resembles the Diamond itself in every point except its iridescence, and has not unfrequently been substituted by fraud for its precious companion in the mines.
Gabelchover, in his commentary upon Baccius, mentions (sub Topazio) that Hadrianus Guilelmus of Naples pos­sessed one engraved in antique Boman letters with the
WORDS NATVRA DEFICIT . F0RTVNA MVTATVR . DEVS OMNIA CERNIT :
which is the only example I have met with of a spell couched in that intelligible language. In the Blacas Cabinet is a good head of the poet Horace on a stone described as Topaz in the catalogue, but more probably a yellow Beryl.
Topazius, Peridot Page of 384 Zmilampis, Cat's-eye
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