30 ORIENTAL SAPPHIRE. 
52. The HYACINTH, or JACINTH, is a dark orange- 
red variety qfjargoon. It is also chiefly imported from 
Ceylon, where it is generally found in the sand of 
rivers, in irregularly round pieces, but seldom of large 
size without flaws. 
This stone is indebted for its name to a supposed re- 
semblance in colour to that flower, which, according to 
the Pagan mythology, Apollo raised from the blood of 
his favourite youth, Hyacinthus. 
When bright, and free from flaws, the hyacinth is a 
superb ring stone ; but it is not of usual occurrence in 
modern jewellery. 
RUBY FAMILY. 
53. The ORIENTAL SAPPHIRE is a gem of blue co- 
lour, the shades of which vary from a full and deep tint to a 
nearly colourless appearance, and sometimes it is party-co- 
loured. 
It is found crystallized in six-sided pyramids much length- 
ened and joined base to base (Fig. 13); and also in rounded 
or pebble-shaped fragments. It has a foliated texture, is 
extremely hard 9 and about four times as heavy as water. 
We are chiefly indebted for the sapphire to the East 
Indies and the Island of Ceylon, where it is found 
amongst the sand of the rivers. When brought into 
Europe, it is cut by means of diamond powder, and 
polished with emery. It is now usually set with a foil 
of its own colour; but it was formerly the practice, in- 
stead of foil, to place under this stone the blue part of 
a peacock's feather. 
In hardness the sapphire ranks next to the ruby (54); 
and in value it is about equal to the emerald (67). A 
good sapphire of ten carats' weight is worth about fifty 
guineas. In the Museum of Natural History at Paris 
there is a sapphire which weighs upwards of sixty-six 
carats : it was placed there from the wardrobe of the 
crown. 
We are informed by M. Hauy that sapphires are 
found in Bohemia and France, particularly in one part 
