Crystal and stones » Pliny

Amber as talisman

precious stones — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 23:10:08 +0000

Amber as talisman.

Amber has from the most remote ages been familiar to humanity, ornaments in this material having come down to us, shaped by men of the Stone Age, thus proving its antiquity.

Many fanciful theories were given in bygone days with regard to its origin, amongst others the historian Nicias stating [...]

Rock crystal as talisman

precious stones — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:51:14 +0000

Rock crystal as talisman

Rock Crystal is a form of quartz, clear and transparent, the name Crystal coming from a Greek word signifying “frozen water ” or “clear ice.” The magical powers of revealing the hidden secrets of the future supposed to exist in the ball of Crystal is of very ancient origin ; and [...]

Emerald

precious stones — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:02:37 +0000

Considering the particular emerald which is a variety of beryl -although the name emerald in the trade is applied somewhat loosely to any stone which is of the same colour, or approaching the colour of the beryl variety -this emerald only differs chemically from the beryl, just described, in possessing an addition of oxide of [...]