A lapidary, or, The history of pretious [sic] stones with cautions for the undeceiving of all those that deal with pretious [sic] stones / by Thomas Nicols ...

CHAP. XIX. Of the Crystall and Pseudo-diamond.

[Description of the stone.] THe Crystall is a well known diaphanous gemm, like unto most pure water congealed into a transparent perfectly perspicuous body of six sides, which in its extremity doth seem to intend them all to one point. Well may it deserve the name of a pretious Jewell for its own glorious diaphanity and untinctured perspicuity; and not onely in regard of its own proper and peculiar beauty, but also for that by it, in Holy writ we have the glory of many sa∣cred things discovered to us by Emblemes. Had this gemm as much in duritie or hardnesse, as it hath in the purity, excellency, and illustriousnesse of its beauty, no other gemm under the heavens would be comparable to the best Crystall for glory. What the manner of the generation of Crystall is, that the derivation of the word Crystallus will shew plainly to us. Crystallus cometh of the Greek words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which signifieth frigus, vel gelu; and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which signifieth contraho. So that Crystallus is nothing else then gelu concretum, that is, then congealed ice, of this opinion is Gregorius in his comment upon the first chapter of the Prophesie of Ezechiel. There is great difference betwixt the ice and Crystall; the ice will swimme in the water, but the Crystall as be∣ing more weighty, doth straight reside: Diodorus Siculus doth very clearly dissolve this difference in the latter end of his third book; where he saith, that Crystall is a stone which hath its originall of

pure water congealed, not by the power of cold. (Though in Ecclesiastes it be said, flavit ventus aquilo, & congelavit crystallum) But by a certain di∣vine power, of an enlivening quickening heat which causeth it to keep its durities, and often times to dis∣cover so many various delightfull colours to the eye.

Anselmus Boetius saith, that Crystall is the purest part of the earth dissolved by water, which in the absence of the water is congealed into Crystall; it is not, he saith, as is supposed, congealed water, for then like unto ice it would be dissolved with heat, and consumed by fire: but it is so farre from con∣suming in the fire as that it being long molten or burned therein, it doth become a Calx, and pure earth, or a salt, by the benefit of whose spirit it is coagulated.

This gemm admitteth of no foyl to set off its glo∣ry. Nor is it oft adulterated, because great propor∣tions of it are found in many places. Bowls and cups of Crystall are of great esteem with Princes; one of these of a foot in bignesse hath been sold for 100 crowns; Boetius 111.

Of its names.

In Hebrew 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (as Job 28.17.) that is, gemma nitidissima, which is interpreted Crystal. Aben Ezra rendereth it lapis pretiosus nitidus. The Rabbins take it for vitrum, à puritate. It is called in Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. In Latine Crystallus. In Italian Crystallo. In Germane Crystall. In Spanish and French Crystall. And in English Crystall.

The kinds of it.

The name of Crystall may be given to all gemms that are soft, diaphanous, and void of colour. Boe∣tius maketh four kinds of it.

First, Crystallus Montanus, which is excellently pure, fair, and beautifull, and is found sometimes six cornered; and sometimes round and globous like flints, which are harder then others, and like unto Diamonds.

2. The second kind is called Iris.

3. Citrinus.

4. Pseudoadamas.

Of the places.

The cornered ones are found in divers parts of Europe, as in the Alpes, in Germany, in Bohemia, in Hungary, in Cyprus, in Lusitania, and in the fields of Pisania. The round ones or Pseudoadamas, are found near unto Arnemhius a Town of Geldria, & near unto Bruxels, and in France, Bohemia, and Silesia. These sometimes are so hard and do so excellently sparkle, that they can scarce be distinguished from the Ori∣entall Diamonds.

Of its nature and faculties.

It is cold and dry: being held under the tongue in fevers it doth quench thirst; and so likewise in these cases it doth much recreate if it be held in the hand, and as it groweth warm, cooled in fair water; the powder of it either calcined or crude being drunk in wine, is good against Dysenteries and the

whites, a drachme of its powder taken in the oyl of sweet Almonds, cureth those that have taken sub∣limate. It is used either in powder, or the salt of it, or the oyl of it, against all obstructions of the bowels, against gouts, swoonings, and all cephalick diseases; saith Boetius, Andr. Baccius, and others.

Of its dignities and value.

For its dignitie, the* 1.1 sacred use that hath been made of it maketh it of very great esteem: and its own glory and beauty doth commend its worth, and accordingly it is valued and esteemed of Princes and great men; and of those who know how judiciously to judge of things according to their excellencie and intrinsick glory.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rev. 21.11. and 22.1.