in natural history, a gem called by the ancients chrysolite, as being of a gold-colour.

The topaz, when perfect and free from blemishes, is a very beautiful and valuable gem; it is, however, very rare in this state. It is of the number of those gems which are found only in the round or pebble form, there never having been yet seen a true and genuine topaz of a columnar figure, though the far greater part of what our jewellers call such, are in that form. The greatest part of the true topazes are no larger than grains of a coarse seed; among these there are, however, some met of the size of a pea, and some much larger, though these are very rare. It is of a roundish or oblong figure in its native or rough state, and is usually flattened on one side, and is generally of a bright and naturally polished surface, tolerably transparent. They are ever of a fine yellow colour; but they have this, like the other gems, in several different degrees: the finest of all are of a true and perfect gold colour; but there are some much deeper, and others extremely pale, so as to appear scarce tinged. The oriental topaz is equal to the ruby in hardness, and is second only to the diamond in lustre.