error in strong number parsing >,] gold, and
[lithos <See definition 3037>,] a stone,) because of its
fine gold yellow colour. It is now called by the moderns the
topaz; is a very beautiful and valuable gem in its pure and
perfect state, though very rarely found so; and the finer
pieces of it are in hardness second only to the diamond. The
Vulgate, however, in ch. 1:16, renders, {quasi visio maris,}
"as the appearance of the seas," i.e., azure; and Dr. Geddes
(on Ex 28:10) says, that, with {Abarbanel,} he believes the
beryl to be intended. It is a pellucid gem, called by our
lapidaries, {aqua marina,} of a sea or bluish green colour,
found in the East Indies and about the gold mines of Peru.
The genuine beryl never receives any other mixture of colour;
and in its perfect state approaches the hardness of garnet.