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Sec. IV, Ch. 11: Semi-Precious Stones, Chrysoprase

Sec. IV, Ch. 10: Semi-Precious Stones, Chrysoberyl, the Oriental Chrysolite of Lapidaries Page of 366 Sec. IV, Ch. 11: Semi-Precious Stones, Chrysoprase Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
CHAPTER XI.
CHRYSOPRASE.
HE Chrysoprase is mentioned in the book of Ezekiel (c. xxvii., v. 16), and it is also referred to as one of the stones in the wall of the Holy City (Rev., c. xxi., v. 20). It has been said, however, that the Chrysoprase of the Ancients was a very different stone from that which is known by this name at the present day. Pliny speaks of it as a well-known gem, and tells us that vessels were made of it, and that the stone was obtained from India in great quantities. No antique works in true Chrysoprase have come down to us. The costly mosaic walls of St. Wenzel's Chapel, in the Cathedral of St. Beit at Prague, built in the 14th century, contain splendid specimens of Chrysoprase.
Our Chrysoprase is a green variety of Chalcedony, of extremely local occurrence. It is found in Silesia, near Kosemütz, Gläsendorf, and Baumgarten, not far from Frankenstein. It occurs in veins of serpentine, in company with other siliceous minerals, such as Quartz, Chalcedony, and Opal.
Among the semi-Precious Stones, the Chrysoprase deserves to be one of the greatest favourites. It possesses a beautiful apple-green colour of many shades, and a transparency and capability of high polish, together with the advantage of being found in large pieces. Exposure to sunlight, however, renders it liable to fade slightly. It was the chemist, Klaproth,who discovered the presence of nickel,
Sec. IV, Ch. 10: Semi-Precious Stones, Chrysoberyl, the Oriental Chrysolite of Lapidaries Page of 366 Sec. IV, Ch. 11: Semi-Precious Stones, Chrysoprase
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