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Hyacinthus, Sapphire, Corundum

Hyacinthus, Sapphire, Corundum Page of 453 Jaspis, Jasper, Quartz-gems Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
HYACINTHUS.
201
The engravings on Diamond really done by Birago, Jacopo da Trezzo, and other artists of the Eenaissance, were often imitated by others either upon this material or the White Topaz. De Boot states (ii. 32) that he had seen an Oriental Amethyst (i.e. a purple Sapphire) treated in this way, valued by the Imperial jeweller at 200 thalers, in consequence of its possessing the true water of the Diamond, and which could not be distinguished from a true one of the same size and shape that had cost 18,000 gold pieces.
In this class of gems the subject-matter, the Precious Corun­dum, is extremely capricious in the colours it assumes, from the various natural influences that may have unequally affected the Crystal during its formation : sometimes the same piece will be blue and red at opposite ends, each portion quite distinct ; some­times they run into each other, producing a lilac in their junc­tion ; at other times the two combine, yet separate when viewed at different angles, so that the same piece is in one light blue, in another lilac ; or, again, the deepest indigo and perfect whiteness are found in the same Crystal, and so on. A curious variety occurs when the Crystal is made up of concentric layers, like the coats of an onion ; such a gem, when polished, is opalescent, and if skilfully cut, with proper attention to the arrangement of the layers, will present a beautiful star with delicate silky rays regularly divergent from one centre. This was in all proba­bility Pliny's Asteria. (Asteria.)
The remarkable coldness of the Sapphire to the touch, due to its great density, gave rise to the notion recorded by Epiphanius of its power to extinguish fire, or natural antagonism to heat. This was improved upon by mediaeval credulity into the doctrine that " the Sapphire worn in a ring or in any other manner is able to quench concupiscence, and for that reason is proper to be worn by the priesthood, and by all persons vowed to perpetual chastity." (Vossius, De Phys. Christ, vi. 7.) And furthermore, "the Sapphire is said to grow dull if worn by an adulterer or lascivious person." Hence its adoption to adorn the episcopal rina: of office from the commencement of the Middle Ages down to the present time : the ring of the Abbot of Folleville, the oldest ecclesiastical jewel extant, is set with a large native Sapphire. .
Hyacinthus, Sapphire, Corundum Page of 453 Jaspis, Jasper, Quartz-gems
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