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

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.”

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

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:

The sesquioxide base is chiefly aluminium.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.