SARDONYX: SCHORL: SELENITE: COMPARISONS BY MARBODUS AND MALPLEAT: PLINY’S ACCOUNT: ANCIENT USE OF SELENITE: USED IN THE PALACE AT PEKIN: DR. JOHN GOAD AND THE SELENITE OF POPE CLEMENT VIII: SELENITE AMONGST THE GREEKS: TREVISA’S NARRATIVE: SELENITES OR LUNARY MEN: A LOVE ATTRACTOR: A CURIOUS TALISMAN: SELENITE AND PEARLS: SERPENTINE OR HYDRINUS: IDENTIFIED WITH THE TARSHISH STONE: THE OPHITE STONE OF DIOSCORIDES AND PLINY: AGRICOLA KNOWS IT AS LAPIS SERPENTIUS: THE RANOCHIA OF ITALIAN ARTISTS: A CURE FOR RHEUMATIC AFFECTIONS, ETC.: USED BY THE ANCIENTS FOR FASHIONING ORNAMENTS AND CHARMS: A TALISMAN OF CAPRICORN: USED IN THE MAKING OF SCARABS AND CYLINDERS: SOAPSTONE OR STEATITE: ITS EXTENSIVE USE IN ANCIENT EGYPT: PINITE: THE AGALMATOLITE OR PAGODITE CALLED BY THE CHINESE HAO-CHI: LUCKY FIGURES AND EMBLEMS: A SAVAGE FOOD: SPHENE OR TITANITE SPINEL OR BALAS RUBY: VARIETIES: PHENOMENA OF THE SPINEL: ALBERTUS MAGNUS: ANDREA BACCI: THE PALACE OF THE RUBY: MARCO POLO’S STORY: LAL RUMANI OF THE INDIANS: THE KING OF OUDE’S SPECIMEN: THE LAL-I-JALADI: THE BLACK PRINCE’S RUBY AND ITS STORY: SIR JAMES MELVILLE AND QUEEN ELIZABETH’S “FAIR, GREAT RUBY”: LOVE OF QUEEN ELIZABETH FOR SPINELS: ROBERT DE BERQUEN AT THE COURT OF THE KING OF PERSIA: SPINELS AND CORUNDUMS IN RIVER GRAVELS: ELIANUS AND THE STORY OF THE STORK: ITS SYMBOLIC IMPORT: AN ANCIENT MEDICAL CUSTOM: A HEALTH STONE: A GARDEN CHARM: SPODUMENE: HIDDENITE: KUNZITE: RADIUM INFLUENCE ON SPODUMENE AND KUNZITE: SUCCINITE.

SARDONYX. (See ONYX.)

SCHORL. (See TOURMALINE.)

SELENITE

The word SELENITE is derived from the Greek SELENE, the moon, and is found also written as silenite, silonite, silenitis. The stone which is a crystallized variety of gypsum is in pearly white, green, yellow and gray colours. Marbodus compares it with soft grass or verdant jasper, and Malpleat, in 1567, says it is like a fresh and flourishing green herb. The moon-like lustres whether in pearl-white or light green are the most esteemed, and Pliny writes that it is frequently employed in the construction of beehives to enable the curious to watch the little insects at their wonderful work. The ancients employed it in much the same way as we do glass, and it formed an item of considerable trade importance between Rome, Spain, Cyprus, Africa, Cappadocia and other parts of the ancient world. Slightly coarser varieties were used by Tiberius to cover his hot-houses, for it is susceptible of being split into comparatively thin sheets. A finer variety of very great value was at one time to be seen in the palace at Pekin. Dr. John Goad, who wrote the Astro-Meteorologia, a book on the natures and influences of the celestial bodies, mentions the Selenite which Pope Clement VIII had amongst his treasures. It was a natural moon dial, of which Cocheram said in 1623, “it decreaseth and encreaseth as the moon groweth.” This Dr. Goad was a famous scholar who, wrote Cooper, “gained a reputation for his astrological knowledge founded on reason and experiment.” The Greeks called the stone Selenitis Lithos, because they said it waxed and waned with the moon, a belief quaintly expressed by Trevisa in 1398 as follows: “Selenites is a stone of Perse, grene as grasse. It shineth with a white specke and foloweth the moon and waxyth and waneth as the moon doeth.” Some old stories tell of a belief that little Moon men which Howell, a 17th century writer, calls “Selenites or Lunary Men,” flung these stones deep in the earth. The Selenite was regarded as a love attractor and a stone to restore harmony between quarrelsome lovers. If engraved with a figure of Diana with bow and arrow when the moon was passing through the 3rd, 16th and 17th degrees of Cancer it increased, say old writers, the power of imagination and helped the wearer to realize future movements. If the Selenite be burned and carefully powdered it is said to be of great use in cleaning pearls (which also are moon-ruled according to astrology). The Selenite is under the sign Cancer like the moonstone, with which it is frequently confounded.

SERPENTINE OR HYDRINUS

The name Serpentine appears at different periods as serpentyn, serpentyne, sarpentene, sarpentin, scharpentyn. It is derived from the Latin SERPENS, and its more ancient term HYDRINUS indicates exactly the Sea Serpent family (HydridÆ), so well known to ancient and modern writers. Precious serpentine is translucent—or about so—and of a rich oily green colour. Common serpentine is opaque. The precious serpentine is called “noble,” the impure “common.” The colours are dark oily green, light green, olive green, black green, brown yellow, green yellow, sometimes almost white. The Serpentine is identified with the Tarshish stone, the 10th stone of the High Priest’s Breastplate. It was known as “Ophite Stone” by Dioscorides and Pliny, and Agricola writing in the 16 th century calls it “Lapis Serpentinus.” Other writers called it “Serpentinum,” hence the modern name “Serpentine.” In Italy, especially amongst artists, some specimens of the stone are known as “Ranochia,” because of its similarity to a frog’s skin.

It was recommended of old as a cure for rheumatism and rheumatic pains in the limbs, and for that purpose specimens were carried on the body next the skin, attached to the arms or legs. It was believed to cure dropsy and all moist complaints, especially if the sufferer held a specimen in each hand whilst resting in the sunlight. The wearer was also warned not to overdo this sun-bathing with Serpentine in his hands because of its affinity with all natural bodily fluids. It was said to be a charm against serpent bites or stings and to scare away poisonous insects and reptiles of the sea and land. Serpentine was much esteemed by the ancients for its healing virtues and peculiar beauty. They effectively employed it in the manufacture of vases, pillars, boxes, etc., and for the making of special charms and talismans. The figure of a goat with a fish’s tail cut on a serpentine when the moon, well aspected, was passing through the 3rd and 4th degrees of the sign Capricorn, was a charm against rheumatism, skin troubles, gout, stiff limbs, accidents to the limbs, falls or hurts.

The Serpentine was largely used by the ancient Egyptians in the making of sacred scarabs, and the Persians favoured it especially for shaping into cylinders of authority, one of which is described by Mr. C. W. King, as follows:

“A King contending with two andro-sphinxes, Ormuzd hovering above on the Tree of Life”—a very symbolic cylinder.

The Serpentine or Hydrinus is under the celestial Capricorn.

SOAPSTONE OR STEATITE

Steatite derives its name from the Greek word STEAR, fat, which well describes the greasy feel of this soft magnesian rock—a massive variety of talc. It was extensively used by the ancient Egyptians who cut it into scarabs which in many cases they first burnt and then coated with a vitreous blue or green glaze. The substance is extremely soft and can easily be cut with a knife. Soapstone figures are cut from a variety known as PINITE—the Agalmatolite or Pagodite of China, called by them Hoa-chi. Many of these are very beautifully cut, a number being lucky figures presented in the guise of gods and goddesses, flowers, fruits, etc. This custom reminds of the “Household gods” of the ancients. A kind of soft steatite earth is still eaten by the savages of New Caledonia and other places.

All varieties of Steatite are under the zodiacal Taurus.

SPHENE OR TITANITE

Sphene derives its name from the Greek SPHEN, a wedge. As the name indicates the form of the crystals is wedge-shaped. The lustre is very brilliant but the stone is scarcely as hard as the opal and therefore is little used in jewellery.

Sphene is under the zodiacal Sagittarius.

SPINEL OR BALAS RUBY

Spinel, which derives its name from the Greek word SPINOS, a spark, is found written in a variety of ways, chief amongst which are spinell, spinele, spinel. Its colours are red, brown, green, yellow and blue. The red varieties are clear and glittering and the dark generally more dense or opaque.

Spinel and Balas are often intermixed and both terms are accepted as denoting this Aluminate of Magnesium, whose hardness is just a little inferior to the Corundum and whose crystalline form is isometric, like the diamond. The spinel, however, is non-electric, no matter if submitted to heat or friction, whilst the ruby (Corundum), and garnet are highly so. Hence it is not a difficult matter to distinguish these stones from each other even if their outward similarities tend to confuse the eye. The spinel, submitted to trial by heat, first changes from red to brown; if left to cool it becomes dark; then it changes to green; then, as if exhausted, it seems to lose its colour which, however, slowly reappears in its red expression.

The word BALAS has been written as balace, baless, balays, balais, balass. It is derived from the Arabic BALAKHSH which, says Albertus Magnus, is the female of the real ruby “and some say it is his house.” That prolific writer on precious stones, Andrea Bacci (16th and 17th centuries), echoes older thought also when he writes that “Balas is derived from PALATIUS, a palace, which is the palace where the ruby lives.” He echoes the symbolic ideas of the old Greek writers who said that the true ruby resided in a palace—clearly showing that they knew the difference between rubies and spinels. Marco Polo’s remarks are as follows: “In this Provence (Badachschan), those fine and valuable gems the Balas rubies are found. They are got in certain rocks among the mountains and in the search for them the people dig great caves beneath the earth just as is done by miners for silver. There is but one special mountain that produces them and it is called Syghinan. The stones are dug on the King’s account and no one else dares dig on pain of death as well as of seizure of worldly possessions, nor may any take the gems out of the Kingdom. The King collects them all and sends them to other kings as tribute or as presents. He so acts in order to keep the Balas at a great value for if he allowed all persons to mine for them the world would be filled with them and they would be valueless.” In Persia there is a story which tells that they were found in a destroyed mountain after an earthquake. The Indians know the stone as the “Pomegranate Ruby” (Lal Rumani), and the King of Oude is said to have had a remarkable and beautiful specimen as big as the egg of a pigeon, which was known as “Lal-i-jaladi.” The beautiful heart-shaped Balass which is set in the British Crown under the Black Cross known as the “Black Prince’s Ruby,” is said to have been obtained in Spain by Prince Edward when he was aiding Don Pedro of Castillo to hold his throne. It is reported that this was the gem worn by King Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt. This may have been the “fair great ruby” which Sir James Melville says Queen Elizabeth valued so highly. Elizabeth was very fond of spinels of which she possessed some splendid specimens, as shown in the still extant inventories of the personal effects of the Queen. An inspection of her nativity will show that they were gems of good omen for her. Madame de Barrera gives an extract from Robert de Berquen’s “Merveilles des Indes Orientales et Occidentales” wherein it is stated that “Josephus Barbaro, a Venetian gentleman, says in a report made to the Signori of Venice that when he was ambassador for the Republic at the court of Yussum Cassan, King of Persia, on a certain day of the year 1472 when he was received in solemn audience, that prince showed him a handkerchief filled with the rarest and most inestimable precious stones. Among others there was a table-cut Balass ruby, of a beautiful shape, of at least a finger’s breadth, weighing two ounces and a half, and of a most peerless colour: in fact, it was a most perfect paragon, so exquisite that when the King asked what he valued it at, he replied that he thought a city or even a kingdom would scarcely pay for it.”

Spinels and corundum are always found together, and Dr. G. F. H. Smith comments on the fact that although harder stones, rubies in the river gravels are usually waterworn whilst spinels are found in perfect crystals. The ancient Zoologist Elianus repeats an old story that a stork brought a spinel as a present to the woman-nurse Heraclis for healing his wounded leg. Here again it is necessary to look beneath the fable for true understanding of it. The stork is one of the birds of Jupiter and its legs are astrologically under the zodiacal Sagittarius (the house or mansion of Jupiter). The woman symbolizes the moon and in her name the afternoon sun is concealed. The nurse is under Virgo, the sign to which the Spinel is attached. The 4 toes of the stork symbolize the negative or afternoon sun, the 3 front toes webbed to the first joint, Jupiter. Again, the stork has no voice and tells no secrets. Hence we have a cryptic prescription illustrating the method employed by the ancient medical brethren to convey their meaning to each other. The spinel is here an active mineral employed in the treatment, together with the moon and negative or afternoon sun, of certain afflictions of the legs. Even today it is a custom amongst medical men to preface their prescriptions with the symbol of Jupiter. The stork is also greatly esteemed as a bird of good fortune and happy omen, and in many countries it is protected against destruction.

The spinel was esteemed as a perfect health stone and was especially valued as a charm to be worn over the solar plexus. It was a fortunate gem for doctors of medicine, scholars, writers, clerks, secretaries, manufacturers, business people, hospital attendants, nurses, etc. It raised the thoughts and purified the imagination. A specimen placed at each corner of a house was considered a protection against calamity, and rough pieces placed at the 4 angles of a garden, orchard or corn field were said not only to protect the products from storms and lightning, but also to carry the symbolic influence of rich returns for the farmer.

The spinel or balas, rubicelle, almandine ruby and the Sapphirine are under the Zodiacal Virgo. The Chloro-spinel and the pleonaste are under the zodiacal Capricorn.

SPODUMENE

Spodumene derives its name from the Greek word SPODIOS, ash-coloured. It is a stone resembling Feldspar, but has a lustre more pearl-like. In general appearance spodumene is of a pale yellow tint, sometimes gray or as its name suggests, ash-coloured. It is about the hardness of quartz. The emerald green variety which is exceedingly rare, is called Hiddenite, after its discoverer, Mr. M. G. Hidden, and it is said by Professor Dana to rival the emerald as a gem. It was discovered in 1881 in North Carolina, which seems to be the only place of its occurrence. Comparatively few specimens have been distributed and amongst them no stones of any considerable size. A pretty example of 2½ carats is in the Natural History section of the British Museum. Perhaps the most beautiful examples of this mineral were discovered in the San Diego district of California in 1903 and named Kunzite, after Dr. G. F. Kunz. These stones range in colour from pale violet to deep lilac and large specimens have already been unearthed, that in the British Museum weighing 60 carats. Dr. G. F. H. Smith remarks that under the influence of Radium Kunzite is phosphorescent, thus presenting some difference from spodumene in general. In analysis it is shown that spodumene contains 7.5 per cent of lithia. It would be, in harmony with ancient philosophy, under the zodiacal Libra, although the variety Hiddenite may be connected with the zodiacal Taurus. All varieties of spodumene would be regarded as powerful eye charms and as beneficial to the kidneys and lumbar regions.

SUCCINITE (See GARNET.)