Warning: Several sections of your profile and favorites are being migrated today. We apologize for any inconvenience. Portal logo
Login/Register
Bactrian Gold Treasure from Afghanistan, coming soon....
/gemstones/streeter-precious-stones/page_277 - 2
 

Sec. IV, Ch. 9: Semi-Precious Stones, Carnelian

Sec. IV, Ch. 9: Semi-Precious Stones, Carnelian Page of 366 Sec. IV, Ch. 10: Semi-Precious Stones, Chrysoberyl, the Oriental Chrysolite of Lapidaries Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
       
     
 
252
Carnelian.
  
 
 
  
 
At Oberstein and Idar ordinary pale-grey Chalcedony is coloured red by chemical means, and thus converted into a brightly tinted Carnelian.
This stone appears to have been chosen by the Greeks and Romans for càmeos and intaglios in consequence of its possessing a beautiful colour and a certain hardness, affording a facility for manipulation. The oldest Greek gems known are in the collection of the Emperor of Germany. One of them is a Carnelian, on which is represented a winged Jupiter appearing to Semele ; and the other an opaque Sardonyx, on which is engraved a draped figure of Venus. There is a Carnelian of the earliest period in the St. Petersburgh collection, on which a man's head is engraved, with most artistically arranged beard. The British Museum possesses an example of the second period, viz., a Carnelian butterfly, carrying a representation of Venus, of very fine workmanship.
A Carnelian of the third period is in the Royal Collection of Vienna, and represents Helena. On a small Carnelian, in the Collection at Florence, there is a head of Apollo, adorned with laurels and fillets. In the Berlin Museum there is an unique Indian Carnelian, almost as transparent as the Hyacinth, engraved with the head of Sextus Pompeius. One of the most famous of the ancient deep-cut stones represents the birthday festival of Dionysius, and was once, it is said, possessed by Michael Angelo.
CARNELIAN.
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
       
Sec. IV, Ch. 9: Semi-Precious Stones, Carnelian Page of 366 Sec. IV, Ch. 10: Semi-Precious Stones, Chrysoberyl, the Oriental Chrysolite of Lapidaries
Table Of Contents bullet Annotate/ Highlight
Streeter: Precious Stones and Gems
Suggested Illustrations
Other Chapters you may find useful
Other Books on this topic
bullet Tag
This Page