[ 47 ] 
Granate, or Garnet, as it is generally called, » 
a very beautiful Gem ; the Colour is a fine bright 
full red with a fmall Tinge of blue : the Influence 
of Gold* or Iron and Tin Ores may poflibly be 
the Caufe of its beautiful Appearance. This Stone 
is of a middle Degree of Hardnefs between the 
Sapphire and common Cryftal: the Ladies are well 
acquainted with it, having of late been much worn 
by them in a Variety of Ornaments. It is brought 
from the Eajl Indies , where moft of the fineft of our 
Gems are produced, and found in Italy, Hungary , 
and Bohemia. 
Amethyft is always of a purple Colour, but of 
many Shades, having fometimes a bluer, at others 
a redder Call, and reaching from very near a Rofe 
Colour to a Violet, according as it has been influ¬ 
enced by Gold or Iron and Tin Ores. In the fineft 
Specimens, it is of equal Value and Hardnefs with 
the Ruby ; but this is not common. When depri¬ 
ved of its Colour by Fire, it wants nothing but 
Hardnefs to make it a perfedt Imitation of the Dia¬ 
mond, fo beautiful is its Luftre. 
Topaz. This is the Chryfolite of the Ancientsi 
it is always of a pure yellow or finefl: Gold Colour, 
but of different Shades or Degrees, from the deepeft 
Saffron down to the paleft Amber or Straw Colour: 
Lead is fuppofed to influence it in this refpe<ft. The 
moft valuable is equal in Hardnefs to the Ruby or 
Sapphire: they are feldom found very large; but 
the Great Mogul has one that weighs near 160 Ca¬ 
rats, which is of very great Value. They are 
found in the Eajl and Wefi Indies , and fometimes 
in Europe. 
Emerald is of a fine green Colour, of all the 
different Shades from the deepeft to the paleft, oc- 
cafioned by fome neighbouring Iron and Copper 
2. Mines, 
