DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5009#0340
314 HANDBOOK OF AR01IJE0L0GY.
always have, when viewed sideways (in suspectu) and held up to
the light, a certain purple effulgence, like that of the carhvmculus,
slightly inclining- to a tint of rose. To these stones the names of
' ptederos' and ' Venus' eyelid ' (Veneris gena, a<f>po8iTr]s /3A,ee/>apov)
was given, being considered as particularly appropriate to the
colour and general appearance of the gem.
" The name which these stones bear originates, it is said, in the
peculiar tint of their brilliancy, which, after closely approaching the
colour of wine, passes off into a violet without being fully pro-
nounced." He adds, " all these stones are transparent, and of an
agreeable violet colour, and are easy to engrave."
According to some authorities, the word amethystos is derived
from a, not, fxe6v<'a, to intoxicate, on account of its being a sup-
posed preservative against inebriety.
The common amethyst is but a variety of rock crystal, coloured
violet. The paler variety was generally adopted by ancient
engravers.
The Oriental amethyst is a ruby or sapphire of a dark rich violet
colour; it may be distinguished from the ordinary amethyst by its
superior brilliancy, as well as by its hardness. It is a gem of rare
occurrence. Some intagli of this stone are said to be in the Vatican.
Beryllus—Beryl, or Aquamarine.
Pliny thus mentions beryls : " Beryls, it is thought, are of the
same nature as the emerald, or at least closely analogous. India
produces them, and they are rarely to be found elsewhere. The
most esteemed beryls are those which in colour resemble the pure
green of the sea."
The beryl, or modern aquamarine, is essentially the same sub-
stance (silicate of alumina, with glucina) as the emerald (as Pliny
correct!}' surmised), differing only in the colouring matter, which in
the emerald is oxide of chrome, and in the beryl oxide of iron.
The beryl was seldom engraved on, and consequently genuine
antique intagli on beryl are rarely to bo met with. The most re-
markable example of an intaglio in this stone is the bust of Julia,
the daughter of Titus, by Evodus. It is of extraordinary size, being
~i hy 2i inches. The Praun collection affords another example of
an intaglio in beryl, it represents Taras on the dolphin.
ClIRYSOBERYLLUS—YlCLLOW BERYL.
Pliny describes as next in value to the beryl, the Chrysoberyllus,
always have, when viewed sideways (in suspectu) and held up to
the light, a certain purple effulgence, like that of the carhvmculus,
slightly inclining- to a tint of rose. To these stones the names of
' ptederos' and ' Venus' eyelid ' (Veneris gena, a<f>po8iTr]s /3A,ee/>apov)
was given, being considered as particularly appropriate to the
colour and general appearance of the gem.
" The name which these stones bear originates, it is said, in the
peculiar tint of their brilliancy, which, after closely approaching the
colour of wine, passes off into a violet without being fully pro-
nounced." He adds, " all these stones are transparent, and of an
agreeable violet colour, and are easy to engrave."
According to some authorities, the word amethystos is derived
from a, not, fxe6v<'a, to intoxicate, on account of its being a sup-
posed preservative against inebriety.
The common amethyst is but a variety of rock crystal, coloured
violet. The paler variety was generally adopted by ancient
engravers.
The Oriental amethyst is a ruby or sapphire of a dark rich violet
colour; it may be distinguished from the ordinary amethyst by its
superior brilliancy, as well as by its hardness. It is a gem of rare
occurrence. Some intagli of this stone are said to be in the Vatican.
Beryllus—Beryl, or Aquamarine.
Pliny thus mentions beryls : " Beryls, it is thought, are of the
same nature as the emerald, or at least closely analogous. India
produces them, and they are rarely to be found elsewhere. The
most esteemed beryls are those which in colour resemble the pure
green of the sea."
The beryl, or modern aquamarine, is essentially the same sub-
stance (silicate of alumina, with glucina) as the emerald (as Pliny
correct!}' surmised), differing only in the colouring matter, which in
the emerald is oxide of chrome, and in the beryl oxide of iron.
The beryl was seldom engraved on, and consequently genuine
antique intagli on beryl are rarely to bo met with. The most re-
markable example of an intaglio in this stone is the bust of Julia,
the daughter of Titus, by Evodus. It is of extraordinary size, being
~i hy 2i inches. The Praun collection affords another example of
an intaglio in beryl, it represents Taras on the dolphin.
ClIRYSOBERYLLUS—YlCLLOW BERYL.
Pliny describes as next in value to the beryl, the Chrysoberyllus,