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Sapphirus, Lapis-lazuli

Sandaster, Aventurine Page of 453 Sapphirus, Lapis-lazuli Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
SAPPHIRUS.
293
That the Sapphirus of the ancients was our Lapis-lazuli, is evident from the remark of Theophrastus (23). " Of stones, there are also others out of which they engrave signets, some for the sake of their beauty alone, such as the Sard, the Jasper, and the Sapphirus : this last is, as it were, spotted with gold-dust." The same appears from Pliny's more detailed description of it (xxxvii. 39), that it came from Media (whence the entire sup­ply of Lapis-lazuli is brought to the present day, meaning Persia and Bokhara) ; that it was opaque and sprinkled with specks of gold ; of two sorts, one of a purple-tint (cum purpura), the best, and found in Media ; the others, of a dark blue colour (cyanei), were accounted the males of the species. Epiphanius is very instructive upon this head. " Fifth : the stone Sapphirus, purple in colour, like that of a dark-blue beetle. Of this there are many kinds : for there is the Royal spotted with gold, yet this is not so much esteemed as the sort altogether blue (unmixed). And this is reported to be found in India and Ethiopia, where­fore they pretend that the sacred place of Bacchus amongst the Indians has a flight of 3r65 steps made out of the Sapphirus ; though most people think this story incredible. This gem is admirable and very beautiful, and agreeable to the eye, where­fore they set it in bracelets and necklaces, especially for the wear of princes. It is likewise medicinal, for being powdered it heals the sores following pustules and boils if smeared over
Sandaster, Aventurine Page of 453 Sapphirus, Lapis-lazuli
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