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Adamas, Diamond

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ADAM AS.
23
aessing nothing of the Adamas but the honour of the name." These were, the " Cyprian, of a bluish tinge (vergens in aerium colorem), most valuable as an amulet,6 and the Siderites of a steely splendour, and exceeding all the others in "weight." Both these were Sapphires, as their blue or grey colour, and greater specific gravity, prove, coupled with the remark that both could be drilled by means of another Diamond, i. e. a true one. It is a singular coincidence that Epiphanius (a Cyprian bishop, by the bye) describes the Adamas as of a sky colour (aepoet,). This, according to him, formed the "Declaration" or Urim and Thummim worn over the high priest's breastplate; " the change in the colour of which, when he came out from the sanctuary, manifested the favour or anger of Jehovah." Certain stones were used in jewelry a century ago under the name of " Diamonds of Baffa" (Paphos), but the remembrance of what they really were is now entirely lost in the trade ; some conjecturing them to have been Jargoons, others only crystals. Lessing, however, was inclined to consider them as something more akin to the real stone than either of these. Pliny remarks that the Diamond is the companion of gold, and seems only to be produced in gold itself. He is here correct, though perhaps it may be but by an accidental coincidence ; for all the Diamond-mines, the discovery of which is recorded, have been brought to light in the pursuit of alluvial gold-washings. This was notably the case with the famous mines in the Serra do Frio, the oldest in Brazil, and the most productive in the world. Australian " diggins" have already furnished a few, and will probably yield a vast supply when their gravel comes to be turned over by people having eyes for other objects than nuggets and gold-flakes. The British Museum, amongst the native Diamonds, exhibits an octahedral Diamond attached to alluvial gold; and, strange confirmation of the ancient idea as to their affinity, the primary crystal of that metal also is the octahedron.
The Romans, taught by the Indians no doubt, valued this gem entirely on account of its supernatural virtues. Pliny, and this
Adamas, Diamond Page of 453 Adamas, Diamond
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