Naturalis historia 37.127

37.127

— Appellantur aliquae et chryselectroe, in colorem electri declinantes , matutino tamen tantum aspectu. Ponticas deprehendit levitas. quaedam durae sunt ac rufae, quaedam molles, sordidae. Bocchus auctor est et in Hispania repertaset quo in loco crystallum dixit ad libramentum aquae puteis defossis erui, chrysolithon XII pondo a se visam.

CHAP. 43.—CHRYSELECTRUM. Though it has now altogether gone out of use for jewellery, there is a precious stone known as "chryselectrum," the colour of which inclines to that of amber; but only when viewed by a morning light. The stones of Pontus are known by their lightness. Some of them are hard and reddish, while others, again, are soft and of a soiled appearance. According to Bocchus, these stones are found in Spain as well; in a spot where, according to him, fossil crystal has been discovered, in sinking to the water-level for wells. He tells us also that he once saw a chrysolithos twelve pounds in weight.