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Topazius, Peridot

Topazius, Peridot Page of 453 Zmilampis, Cat's-eye Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
340
TOPAZIUS.
bright yellow and hard (our Chrysolite) ; the other greenish and soft. Thus the name " Topaz " came to be applied to any bright yellow and hard stone that did not to the eye display the dis­tinctive mark of the Chrysolite, a tinge of green, and gradually became restricted to the sense it now bears.
The name Peridot can be traced far back. In the Wardrobe Book of 27 Edward I., is entered amongst the jewels of the de­ceased Bishop of Bath and Wells (escheated to the Crown), " Unus annulus auri cum pereditis." This term implied a dis­tinction from the Topazius (our Chrysolite) ; for the preceding item is, " Unus annulus auri cum topacio." The origin of the word can only be conjectured. The rnedieeval spelling seems to indicate as its source—a name applicable enough to
the handed plasma, Pliny's grammaiias, and which may have been transferred by the ignorant Gothic writers to this gem, to dis­tinguish it from the prasinus ; or, taking the modern spelling, would signify a wager, for which purpose, as Pliny notes, the ring was perpetually in request : " Argumente est con-suetudo vulgi ad sponsiones etiamnum annulo exsiliente, tracta ab eo tempore quo non erat arrha velocior " (xxxiii. 6).
That very elegant gem the Pink Topaz of our jewellers, emulating the Balais in tint and lustre, is not a natural variety, but merely the Brazilian metamorphosed by the action of fire. The change is simply and easily effected by closely enveloping the stone ready cut and polished in German tinder, firmly bound with fine wire ; this being kindled, when thoroughly burnt out the colour of the Topaz will be found converted to a clear rose without the least detriment to its original texture or polish.
Topazius, Peridot Page of 453 Zmilampis, Cat's-eye
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