DICHROITE—IOLITE
DICHROITE: DIOPTASE: DISTHENE: EMERALD: ENSTATITE: EPIDOTE: ESSONITE:
EUCLASE: FLINT, THE STONE OF EARLY MAN: ITS USE IN ANCIENT EGYPT:
ETHIOPIAN ARROWS: THE ELF DART: FAIRY STONE: CHIAS, THE FIRST TO
PROVE THE FLASHING OF STRUCK FLINT: ITS USE IN THE PREVENTION OF
NIGHTMARE: “HOLEY” STONES: BUTLER AND THE HOLLOW FLINT: THE MARA:
THE GARNET: PECULIARITIES: DANA’S CLASSIFICATION: SUCCINITE, A
HARMONY CHARM: GROSSULARITE, A HEALTH CHARM: PYROPE OR BOHEMIAN
GARNET: LARGE SPECIMEN IN SAXON REGALIA: EMPEROR RUDOLPH’S SPECIMEN:
A TALISMAN OF FRIENDSHIP: HOPE AND PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT: SPESSARTITE,
A PRAYER CHARM: ANDRADITE, A BANISHER OF UNWORTHY THOUGHTS:
SPECIMENS FOUND ENGRAVED WITH ANGELS’ NAMES: OUVAROVITE: GARNETS
AFFECT MAGNETIC NEEDLE: GREENSTONE: GROSSULARITE: HAEMATITE:
SOTACUS’S CLASSIFICATION OF HAEMATITE VARIETIES AND THEIR ACCREDITED
VIRTUES: DANA’S CLASSIFICATION: PLINY’S RECOMMENDATION: USE IN
ANCIENT TIMES: MUMMY’S HEAD-REST: ANDREAS BALVANCENSIS’ IDEA: STENCH
STONE: GALEN’S PRESCRIPTION: HIDDENITE: HORNSTONE: HYACINTH: VIRTUES
OF THE HYACINTH: THE JACINTH VARIETY: THOMAS DE CANTEMPRE’S
DESCRIPTION: OPINIONS OF LEONARDUS AND DE BOODT: FRANCIS BARRETT’S
COMMENTS: OBSERVED CHANGES IN THE STONE: AVICENNA’S COMPARISON: THE
HYACINTH IN THE GARDEN OF PEACE AND AMONGST THE ROSICRUCIAN JEWELS:
HYDROPHANE: HYPERSTHENE: IOLITE.
DICHROITE. (See IOLITE.)
DIOPTASE. The name is derived from the Greek DIA, through, and OPTOMAI,
to see. This pretty emerald-green copper silicate was named in 1801 by
Hauy, who found on looking through it cleavage directions. As the
crystals are usually so small Dioptase, which is of about the same
degree of hardness as lapis lazuli, is seldom used in jewellery.
According to ancient philosophy, dioptase would strengthen the sight of
those who gazed upon it, and benefit if worn on the neck in throat
troubles. Astrologically, dioptase is under the celestial Taurus.
DISTHENE. (See KYANITE.)
EMERALD. (See BERYL.)
ENSTATITE. Named from the Greek ENSTATES, an opponent, because of its
infusibility before the blow-pipe and its resisting power against acids.
It occurs in various colours—grey, brown, yellow, colourless, and
chiefly green; hence it has been erroneously called the Green Garnet.
The Enstatite is a silicate of magnesium, and is scarcely as hard as the
opal, yet it is found with the diamond, hardest of stones. It is
esteemed as a talisman in examinations, arguments, debates and all
contests in which the mind is employed. The Enstatite is under the
celestial Gemini.
EPIDOTE. This stone is named from the Greek EPIDOSIS, increase. It was
first used by Hauy (“Mineralogie,” 1801), as “lit qui a recu un
accroissement,” but—writes Dr. Smith—“not on very precise
crystallographical grounds.” There are several varieties, chief among
which is the Pistacite, or true Epidote, of a yellow-green colour like
the nut of the Pistachio. The epidote is nearly as hard as the garnet.
According to ancient philosophy it may be used as a charm for fruit and
cereal growers. The epidote is under the celestial Taurus.
ESSONITE. From the Greek ESSON; also, known as Hessonite and more
familiarly amongst jewellers as Cinnamon Stone. It is a garnet of the
Lime Alumina order, of a reddish brown or cinnamon colour, and granular
structure. This stone is often confounded with the Hyacinth and other
varieties of the Zircon with which it is found. It is regarded amongst
ancient philosophers as a protective talisman for virgins born between
August 24th and September 23rd. The Essonite is a gem under the
celestial Virgo.
EUCLASE. The name is derived from the Greek EU KLASIS, easily fractured.
It is a silicate of aluminium and beryllium and is related to the
emerald. Westropp says: “The euclase is of the same chemical composition
as the emerald.” (“Manual of Precious Stones.”) It is a very rare and
expensive mineral, glassy and extremely brittle. The euclase closely
resembles the aquamarine in its varying shades of pale blue and pale
green. Sometimes it is found quite colourless. It is frequently found
with topaz, and is of the hardness of the beryl. As a love talisman it
is advised that it be worn in the rough. The euclase is under the
celestial Taurus.
FLINT
“_So stubborn flints their inward heart conceal
Till art and force th’ unwilling sparks reveal._”
CONGREVE TO DRYDEN.
Flint derives its name from the Greek PLINTHOS, a brick. It has been
written at various times as vlint, vlynt, flent, flend, flynd, flynt,
flynte. Flint is described as an “intermediate between quartz and opal,
consisting almost entirely of silica with a little lime, oxide of iron,
water, carbon and sometimes traces of organic matter.” Mr. G. R. Porter
says that flint is silica “in a state nearly approaching to purity.”
(“Porcelain and Glass,” 1832.) Today it is classed amongst the varieties
of chalcedony and is found in various colours—greyish white, grey,
black, light brown, red and yellow. It is semi-translucent, breaking
with a well-defined shell-like fracture. This mineral was extensively
used by aboriginal man in the making of implements, weapons, magical
instruments, etc., and many fine worked specimens are still found in all
parts of the world. Mystery and magic are associated with the flint
which was used in ancient Egypt for fashioning scarabs and making the
first incision in a dead body, prior to embalming. The Ethiopian Arrows
noted by Herodotus were, as discovery has proved, arrow heads of flint.
The Elf Arrow-head or Elf Dart with a hole drilled through it was
regarded especially in Scotland and Ireland as an effective talisman
against poison, witchcraft, and the evil wishes of enemies. Sir Edward
Mackenzie, Bart. built his charming little story “The Romance of the Elf
Arrow” on these beliefs. Robert Gordon, of Straloch, who wrote in the
year 1654, relates that a friend of his while out riding on horseback
was struck on the top of his riding boot by one of these fairy stones.
In this case there is no doubt that the horse’s hoof caused the
incident, but chance was not admitted by the old masters who would
regard the hoof of the horse as the instrument made use of by the
mischievous fairies.
Pliny relates that Chias being the first to demonstrate the fire
flashing of struck flint, was given the name of Pyrodes. Aubrey states
that it was an old custom to hang on a string a flint with a hole in it
“to hinder the nightmare.” “It is best of all, they say, hung about
their necks, and a flint will do it that hath a hole in it. It is to
prevent the night mare, viz., the Hag, from riding their horses which
will sometimes sweat at night. The flint thus hung does hinder it.”
Another writer, Grose, quoted in Brand’s “Antiquities,” says: “A stone
with a hole in it hung at the bed’s head will prevent the nightmare. It
is therefore called a Hag Stone from that disorder which is occasioned
by a Hag or Witch sitting on the stomach of the party afflicted. It also
prevents witches riding horses: for which purpose it is often tied to a
stable key.”
“_Hang up Hooks and Sheers to scare
Hence the Hag that rides the mare._”
HERRICK.
These flints were called Holy or Holey Stones in the North of England,
also Ephialtes stones, Night Mare or Witch Riding Stones, and Butler
mentions the chasing away of evil spirits by hollow flint. The “Mare” of
Night Mare is derived from the Saxon Mara, an incubus, which attacked
during sleep, depriving the victim of movement and speech. The Mara or
Mare is an order of vampires. Hebrew MARIA, an evil spirit against which
the flint is a charm. As a correspondent of flint, Emanuel Swedenborg
gives Truth. Its connection with the ninth heavenly mansion is well
defined. Flint is under the celestial Sagittarius.
GARNET
“_Without the aid of yonder golden globe
Lost were the garnet’s lustre._”
SMART.
The garnet derives its name from the Latin GRANATUS, grain-like. Mr.
King gives Granatici, from its resemblance to the scarlet pomegranate
blossom. It is found written as garnet, gernet, garnette, garnat, garnet
or garnat stone.
The mineral group passing under the general name of garnet exhibits some
distinct peculiarities which, adopting the classification given by
Professor James Dana, can be considered under three heads, as follows:
Alumina Garnet Iron Garnet Chrome Garnet
ALUMINA GARNET
The sesquioxide base is chiefly aluminium.
(_a_) IRON ALUMINA GARNET
Shades of colour: Red, ruby red, hyacinth red, columbine red, brownish
red. Precious garnet is translucent, common is not. Example, Almandine
or Carbuncle. Astrologically classed under the celestial Sagittarius.
(_b_) LIME ALUMINA GARNET
Shades of colour: Pale green, cinnamon, amber. Example: Essonite or
Cinnamon Stone is cinnamon coloured; Grossularite (Latin GROSSULARIA, a
gooseberry), is pale green; Succinite (Latin SUCCINUM, amber), is of the
colour of amber. The Grossularite is a health talisman, the Succinite a
charm for securing harmony and success in dealing with employees. They
are both under the Celestial Virgo.
(_c_) MAGNESIA ALUMINA GARNET
Shades of colour: Deep red changing to black and green. Example: Pyrope.
Under the celestial Aquarius.
The Pyrope or Bohemian Garnet derives its name from the Greek word
PUROPOS, fiery, and is known to Pliny as Apyroti. It is a stone of the
same hardness as the beryl and is commonly called the “Cape Ruby,” or
the “Arizona Ruby.” In the regalia of Saxony, set in the Order of the
Golden Fleece, is a large pyrope, 468½ carats in weight, and that
strange Emperor Rudolph II under whose patronage Tycho and Kepler worked
at the Rudolphine (Astronomical) Tables, is said by De Boodt to have
possessed a specimen worth 45,000 thalers. One as big as the egg of a
pigeon lies in the Green Vaults at Dresden. Large pyropes are, however,
rare. Swedenborg corresponds Pyrope to “good,” and it is regarded as a
talisman of faithfulness and stability, of hope, of happiness and true
friendship. Its influence is said to aid psychic development and occult
understanding. It is a health stone, and in the East is regarded as a
banisher of plagues and poison, changing colour, it is said, when danger
or mishap of any kind threaten the wearer.
(_d_) MANGANESE ALUMINA GARNET
Shades of colour: Red, brownish red, hyacinth red. Example: Spessartite
or Spessatine. Under the celestial Virgo.
The Spessartite obtains its name from SPESSART in Germany. It is
sometimes called the Brown Garnet, but is little used in jewellery. The
Spessartite is a prayer charm for the uplifted soul.
IRON GARNET
The sesquioxide base is chiefly iron.
LIME IRON GARNET
Shades of colour: Various.
Example: Andradite, named after the Portuguese mineralogist D’Andrada.
In the variety called Topazolite (so named after the topaz), the colour
is wine yellow, in Jelletite it is green, and in Melinite and Pyreneite
it is black or grey-black. The Aplome (named by Hauy after the Greek
word APLOOS, simple), is red. The Kolophonite, named after Kolophon in
Ionia, is coarse, granular, resinous and frequently iridescent. Green
Andradite has been termed the “Uralian Emerald” and the Olivine (wrongly
so-called under this head). Brilliant specimens have been named by
jewellers DEMANTOID. A dark, almost black, andradite showing a gleam of
red was much used in mourning jewellery. This is the stone which
Leonardus said drove away pestilential airs and banished unworthy
thoughts. It was a binding charm for friends. It protected from
epidemics and the lightning-stroke, and lent favour to the desires of
the native. Specimens have been found engraved with the names of angels
in Chaldaic, Hebrew, Greek and other ancient languages. It is under the
celestial Aquarius.
CHROME GARNET
The sesquioxide base is chiefly Chromium.
Shades of colour: Emerald green.
Example: Ouvarovite, Uvarovite or Uwarowite, after the Professor of that
name of the late Russian Imperial Academy at Petrograd. This variety
will not, like other varieties, yield to the blow-pipe. It is a hard
stone and few specimens large enough for cutting have been discovered.
It is under the celestial Aquarius.
Many specimens of ancient engraved garnets have been found. Friction
produces in the stone a positive order of electricity which has a
perceptible effect on the magnetic needle.
GREENSTONE. (See JADE.)
GROSSULARITE. (See GARNET.)
HAEMATITE
“_The Haematite, named by the Greeks from blood,
Benignant Nature formed for mortals’ good._”
MARBODUS.
The Haematite obtains its name from the Greek HAIMATITES, blood-like. It
is a specular iron ore of reddish, brown, steely gray, and iron black
colours. Commercially it is spelt Hematite, though it is also written as
Ematite, Emathites, Emathitis.
Sotacus, described by Pliny as one of the most ancient writers,
classified five varieties of haematite, as follows:
1. _Ethiopic_, which he said was a remedy for burns and inflamed eyes.
It is probable that this is the Ethiopian Stone, a hard species of
flint. (See under FLINT.)
2. Androdamus, or Conquerer of Man, which is given as a remedy for
bilious attacks. This stone is described by Sotacus as “very black and
heavy,” and by Marbodus as “silvery white with the hardness of a
diamond.” It would seem that each writer is describing a different
stone. Sotacus’ description would imply a species of iron stone, that of
Marbodus may stand for a corundum or even a diamond, and man may be
subdued by either the iron stone or the diamond.
3. Arabian, recommended for stomach troubles and burns.
4. Elatite, or when burned Melitite.
5. Mixed stone for eye troubles.
The varieties given by Professor James D. Dana are:
1. Specular Iron. Lustre perfectly metallic.
2. Micaceous Iron. Structure foliated.
3. Red Hematite. Submetallic or unmetallic brownish red.
4. Red Ochre. Soft and earthy and often containing clay.
5. Red Chalk. Firmer and more compact than red ochre and of fine
texture.
6. Jaspery Clay Iron. A hard, impure, siliceous, clayey ore, having a
brownish-red jaspery look and compactness.
7. Clay Iron Stone. The same as the last, the colour and appearance less
like jasper.
8. Lenticular Argillaceous Ore. An oolitic red ore consisting of small
flattened grains.
9. Martite. Martite is hematite in octahedrons, derived, it is supposed,
from the oxidation of magnetite.
Pliny says that Haematites are found in mines and when burned have the
colour of Minium. (Minium of today is our red lead of commerce, Red
Oxide of Lead). He recommends it for affections of the bladder and for
the healing of dangerous wounds, bites of serpents and as a check to
female disorders. It seems probable in these enumerations that he refers
to Loadstone (q.v.), for he says “the sanguine Loadstone called
Haematite.” The Haematite and the Loadstone were used in Babylon,
Assyria and other ancient lands as far back as 2000 B.C. Amongst the
specimens handled by the author was one notable Haematite intaglio
cylinder of very fine workmanship—an old magistrate’s seal of great
antiquity. The ancient Egyptians generally selected Haematite as a
fitting pillow (Urs) for the head of the Mummy to rest upon. On it were
often cut verses from Chap. CLXVI of the “Book of the Dead”—the Per em
Hru or Coming forth by Day.
An old 17th century writer, Andreas Balvacensis, advances the curious
idea that the Haematite was made of “dragon’s bloud,” and Holme in his
“Armoury” says that it is called a Stench stone, for its accredited
virtue of stopping the flow of blood. Generally the old writers of the
Middle and later ages followed Galen in prescribing Haematite for
inflamed eyes and headaches, and he was undoubtedly learned in the
wisdom of the Egyptians and the old medical philosophies mentioned by
Sotacus. Several modes of use are mentioned; one was to mix the powdered
stone with honey and apply it to the eyelids, another was to rub the
smoothed stone lightly over the lids. The Kidney Ore Haematite which has
a strong metallic silky lustre and is formed somewhat like a kidney, was
recommended for external application over the region of that organ when
ill conditions prevailed. This application of a Mars substance for the
cure of a Venus affection is technically dealt with in works devoted to
medical astrology, ancient and modern. The Haematite is under the
celestial Aries.
HIDDENITE. (See Spodumene.)
HORNSTONE. Hornstone obtains its name from the Anglo-Saxon STAN. It is a
fragile variety of flint, and is known in its more impure state as
Chert. It had some reputation as an eye stone in certain parts, and is
regarded as under the celestial Taurus.
HYACINTH
“_The island of Sandareeb ... containeth varieties of jacinths and
different kinds of minerals._”
__The 6th Voyage of Es-Sindabad of the Sea.__
The name of this stone is derived from the youth Hyakinthos. It has been
written at various times as hiacinth, hiacinthe, hyacint, hiacynth,
hyacinthe, hiacint, etc. The true hyacinth, which is not to be
confounded with the sapphire, the hyacinthus of the ancients, is a
brilliant zircon (q.v.) of a transparent red or ruddy cinnamon colour.
It is found with a garnet of similar hue which is also called hyacinth
but which shows structural differences and is classified under the name
ESSONITE (q.v.). The peculiar granular nature of this hyacinth can be
seen, even when cut, under an ordinary lens. It is said in ancient story
that Apollo caused the death of the lovely and beloved youth Hyakinthos
when throwing his disc, and that from the blood which fell to the ground
a lovely flower sprang. The myth symbolizes the fertility of Nature and
was celebrated by the festival Hyakinthia, which expresses the grief of
Apollo over the precious life he had taken and the subsequent joy when
the flower gave promise of the return of the slain one in harmony with
Nature’s immortal moods. The gem hyacinth was considered a charm against
bowel disorders, as a mental tonic and a strengthener of the mind
against all kinds of temptation. It promised bountiful harvests to the
farmer and filled the Cornu Copia of the Virgin Goddess. The name
JACINTH, usually applied to the yellow variety of the gem, is a
contraction of hyacinth, and appears as Iacincte, Iacynkte, Iassink,
Jacounce, Jagounce, Jacincte, Jacynct, Jacynth, etc. Like all the Zircon
family these stones are electric and attract fluff and exhibit
phosphorescence. Thomas de Cantempre describes the jacinth as a stone of
yellow colour which protected the wearer from melancholy and poison,
drawing to him the love of God and man. Leonardus said that it brought
sleep to the tired brain and gave wisdom and protection in times of
pestilence. De Boodt also recommends the gem as a cure for insomnia,
advising that it be worn enclosed in a small bag of brown material
suspended just over the solar plexus. Francis Barrett in the section of
his book devoted to Natural Magic says: “The jacinth also possesses
virtue from the sun against poisons, pestilences and pestiferous
vapours: likewise it renders the wearer pleasant and acceptable:
conduces also to gain money: being simply held in the mouth it
wonderfully cheers the heart and strengthens the mind.”
So in ancient astrology these stones which are under the celestial Virgo
have these powers: Wisdom and Prudence, Worldly Gain, Wealth. It is said
that so powerful were these gems of the zircon family that one wearing
them could pass unharmed through places infected with fever and
pestilence. Mystic authors wrote that the jacinth grew dull when stormy
weather was approaching, and bright with the promise of fine weather;
similarly it indicated the degrees of health of the wearer (Virgo is a
sign of health and sickness). Cardanus says that in tempestuous weather
the hyacinth assumes “the ruddy tint of a glowing coal.” As an amulet
against plague it was said to change colour when touched by affected
persons. Avicenna (Ibn Sina), the famous Arabian philosopher of the 10th
century compared the action of the jacinth with that of the magnet.
Paracelsus says that it is distinctly under the government of the planet
Mercury. In old Polish pharmacies a jacinth was kept set in a mount of
silver, ready to be used to avert mortification in cases of accident.
Held against the forehead it was reputed to give clearness of thought
and calmness of mind. Swedenborg corresponds it to “intelligence from
spiritual love and in an opposite sense, intelligence from infernal love
which is self-derived intelligence.” To dream of the hyacinth is
interpreted as protection in approaching worries; to dream of the
jacinth indicates triumph. Jacinths are placed with almandines in the
Dar as Salam, the Arabian Garden of Peace, and amongst the Rosicrucian
jewels the hyacinth represents the true knowledge of absolute love and
the triumph over the crude elements of earthly understanding. These two
zircon varieties are under the celestial Virgo.
HYDROPHANE. (See OPAL.)
HYPERSTHENE. The name is derived from the Greek HYPER, over, and
STHENOS, strength. It is also written as Hyperstene. It is a stone of
the Pyroxene group, a silicate of magnesium and iron. Its colours are
brown-green, grey or green-black, pinchbeck brown. Its hardness is about
the hardness of lapis lazuli. The hypersthene is under the celestial
Scorpio.
IOLITE. The iolite derives its name from the Greek ION, violet and
LITHOS, a stone. Hauy named it the DICHROITE (DIO, twice, CHROA,
colour). It was known also as the Cordierite, and more familiarly as the
water sapphire. It is a silicate of alumina magnesia and protoxide of
iron. It possesses extraordinary dichroism, the smoky blue and
yellowish-grey being easily seen with the naked eye. This circumstance
induced Hauy to name it DICHROITE. Viewed in two directions it presented
different colours. These colours are shown to advantage in stones cut
for ornament. In 1758, Sir James Hill wrote a “History of the Iolithos
or Violet Stone,” a work now most difficult to obtain. The iolite is a
stone of friendship and friendly help. It benefits the eyesight and is
an aid to high thoughts. It was also written as yolite, iolithe. It is
of about the hardness of quartz. The iolite is under the celestial
Aquarius.