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Chrysolithus, Oriental Topaz

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168
CHRYSOLITHUS.
and a large double-convex stone of great lustre covered with a Gnostic formula on both faces. Modern engravers, however, have largely turned to account this pretty and easily-worked material, and therefore any intaglio of merit appearing in it must, prima facie, be regarded with the utmost suspicion, nor be admitted as antique, until both the artistic part, and the surface of the gem, have satisfied the closest scrutiny.
Epiphanius says that the Chrysolithus is also called the Chrysophyllus : meaning perhaps either Pliny's Chrysopterus, or more probably his Chrysoberyllus ; " a beryl, paler green, which goes off into a golden lustre :" a description applying indeed better to the Indian Chrysolite than to any species of the true Beryl. For Epiphanius states that it is found in the deep quarry or shaft (φρέατι Βιττέτρω),4 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.
Pliny's Craterites, or " Stone of Strength," of a colour between the Chrysolithus and Amber, and noted for its extremely hard nature, may with reason be supposed 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 Romans. Pliny notices, speaking of gold, that its colour was not esteemed the finest 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 in Marbodus, as " a stone of a fiery colour mingled with sea-green : " an apt expression for the lustrous Chrysolite. It came from Ethiopia. If set in gold and strung upon hairs plucked out of an ass's tail,
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