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. XX. Of the Asteria, or Gemma Solis.

THe Asteria, or Gemma solis, is a kind of Opalus, which doth sparkle forth its beams like a starre; it is a hard transparent stone. It is called Gemma So∣lis, because if it be held against the Sunne, and turn∣ed, it seemeth to shew the Sunne as it were walking in it, or the likenesse of a moving starre: and being held against the light, it doth the same.

Its names.

It is called of Plinie Astroites, and Ceraunia. It is also called Asteria. Michael Mercatus calleth it A∣strobolus. It is also called Oculus felis.

The place.

It is found in Carmania and India. Anselmus Boe∣tius saith, that he supposeth that to be the Asteria or the Gemma Solis, which like a milkish Crystall ha∣ving a round light included in it, doth send it forth walking with a certain inclination: and that to be the Astroiten, which hath in the middle of it as it were small starres shining. This is a kind of Opalus.

Of its nature and properties.

It is reported of it, that it doth procure sleep, and drive away terrours of the night, and troublesome dreams.

Its dignitie and value.

The Orientall ones are very beautifull, and so hard that they can hardly be engraven: it is esteemed in value worth twice the price of the engraving.