that
the old localities are either forgotten or exhausted. There is,
however, one very striking source for the gem. The mineral is known to
be an essential constituent of meteori'es, and crystals are often found
in these masses large enough to be of value as gems. It is thus an
interesting fact that chrysolite is the only gem which comes to us from
spaces of which we know nothing, actually beyond the earth.
Chrysolite
has, as I have stated, long been known, and is frequently mentioned in
the Bible and in ancient literature, but much of the mineral then known
as chrysolite was in reality topaz. An interesting fable of its
discovery in those early times is related. Dio-dones Siculus says of
the stone, "That it was not discernible by day, but was bright at
night, so it could be seen by the patrol. The latter would cover the
luminous spot with a vase, and the next day come and cut out the rock
at the place indicated. After being polished a beautiful chrysolite
would appear."
