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Chrysoprasius, Chrysoprase

Chrysoprasius, Chrysoprase Page of 453 Chrysolithus, Oriental Topaz Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
164
CHRYSOPRASIUS.
extant in any gem at all answering to this description, for Theophrastus puts it in the same list as the Carbuncle, Sard, and Amethyst, whence one would conclude it to have then been equally in general use.
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, called from its resemblance to the leak-leef, the other purple with golden spots. After this he makes a third, 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 this 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 coloured gems so well became a blonde complexion.
Chrysoprasius, Chrysoprase Page of 453 Chrysolithus, Oriental Topaz
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