The name is derived from CHRYSOS, golden, and BERYLLOS, beryl. Suitable stones are cut into catseyes of opalescent gleam. The chrysoberyl is harder than the topaz, and is composed of alumina and glucina. The colours of the stone are asparagus green, grass green, greenish white. The Alexandrite variety changes its colours in real and artificial light.
The chrysoberyl was credited as a charm against evil spirits and a disordered imagination, against deceit, craft and conspiracy. To dream of a chrysoberyl was a warning against waste. It is under the zodiacal Pisces.
CRYSOCOLLA. This hydros copper silicate derives its name from the Greek CHRYSOS, gold, and KOLLA, cement. It obtained its name from its resemblance to a gold solder known and used by the ancient Greeks. It is a very soft, light substance, varying in colour from a blue-green to a sky or turquoise blue. The texture is enamellike, and the occurrence is earthy and massive. Chrysocolla is a musical charm, to dream of which was favourable for musicians, florists and singers. It is under the zodiacal Taurus.
CHAPTER XV
CHRYSOLITE—CRYSTAL
CHRYSOLITE: “EVENING EMERALD”: THE ANCIENT AMIANTHUS: BANISHER OF EVIL INFLUENCES: STONE OF INSPIRATION: “THE PRECIOUS STONE”: CHRYSOPRASE: STONE OF DREAMS AND HAPPINESS: BAD EFFECT OF EXCESSIVE LIGHT: CINNAMON STONE: CITRINE OR FALSE TOPAZ: ITS TALISMANIC VIRTUES: COAL: BLACK DIAMONDS: “HAULING OVER THE COALS”: TAX ON COAL: FIRST COAL LICENCES: PROCLAMATION AGAINST THE USE OF COAL: FIRST COAL EXPORTED TO PARIS: THE NATURE OF CORAL: OLD BELIEF: TREVISA ON THE CORAL: CORAL SPECIES: PERSEUS AND THE MEDUSA: THE WORK OF THE SEA-NYMPHS: THE RISING OF THE LOVE GODDESS: THE EVIL EYE: FASCINATION: ROMAN CUSTOM: CORAL AND HEALTH: DISPELLER OF EVIL SPIRITS: INCUBI AND SUCCUBI: DR. HARTMANN’S TESTIMONY: BARTHOLOMEUS AND THE WYTCHES’ STONE: MYSTICAL PROPERTIES ASCRIBED TO CORAL: CUSTOM OF OLD GREEK SAILORS: LEMNIUS AND CORAL: THE GEM OF THE GARDEN OF EVERLASTING LIFE: A 17TH CENTURY PRESCRIPTION: THE STONE OF THE DANCERS: CORUNDUM: CORDIERITE: CROCIDOLITE: CRYSTAL: EARLY USE ON SCARABEI, ETC.: TRIAL OF PSYCHE: THE ETHIOPIAN KING AND THE CRYSTAL TOMBS: THE HAPSBURG CRYSTAL VASES: CRYSTAL IN CHINA AND JAPAN: THE TALISMAN OF CONCENTRATION: THE MEDICINE INDIANS: AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINALS AND THE CRYSTAL: RAIN STONE: THE CORADGEE: CRYSTALLOMANCY AMONGST THE NATIVES OF AUSTRALIA: CRYSTAL BALLS AND THE SUN’S RAYS: DR. BABBITT’S REMARKS ON THE CONVEX LENS: HYDROLITES: THE THIRD EYE: AN ANTIQUE SEAL RING: CRYSTALS IN THE HIGHLANDS: SIR WILLIAM RIDGEWAY ON CRYSTALS: SWEDENBORG’S STONE OF TRUTH.
“When morning rose, to land
We haul’d our bark, and moored it on the strand,
Where in a beauteous grotto’s cool recess
Dance the green Nereids of the neighboring seas.”