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THERE is nothing in Nature which Art cannot imitate, and oftentimes those things which seem most difficult, prove to be most easie when ma∣naged with Judgment; or when he that undertakes
to do them has experimented any thing of the like Nature before, and knows the Nature, and Proper∣ties, and Powers of his Subject.
Although the Imperfect Metals be immature, or unripe, they contain, notwithstanding, a great deal of fixed and volatile Gold, which may be easily se∣parated, or attracted out by means of Art. Imper∣fect Metals may be very much meliorated by Fire, by a proportionable and agreeable coction. There are also Crystals and Precious Stones, which have no Natural hardness, which may be given them by Art, having all the Natural Dispositions thereunto requi∣red, since they have the same Principle as the most fine, and that they only want a little Sulphur, which hinder'd their thorough coction.
Thus this Defect may be obviated in Precious Stones, as well as Metals, by giving them a due coction, and so changing them for the better. We will begin to give the most simple way of attaining it, before we shew those that are more exalted.
You may give the colour and hardness of Dia∣monds to Crystals and Diamonds of Alanson, by ta∣king good Dutch Trepoly and making a Paste of it with Water out of the Smiths Forge, wherein you must wrap up the quantity you design of Crystals, or Diamonds of Alanson cut and polished; then set it in a Crucible covered and luted on a gradual Fire, where let it stand till the Crucible become red hot. A little time after take it out, and take out the Stones, then polish them again at the Wheel to give them their colour.
To set them in Works, take Indian Paper, with Leaves of Tin, like those you put behind Looking-glasses, then let them be set by some good Gold∣smith, and they can scarce be distinguished from fine one••, except by very nice Discerners.