The Leyden and Stockholm Papyri - University of Cincinnati

35. Another (Preparation)
Take rainbow-colored Indian crystal, shape from it the small stones
that you desire, and soften them. Afterwards, take equal weights of
flaky alum and “garlic” and rub them fine with very sharp vinegar
until the whole becomes paste-like in thickness. Put the small
stones in it and leave them there 3 days. After this, pour vinegar
upon the mixture so that it becomes fluid, pour it over into a foreign
pot, hang the stones there in a basket so that they do not touch
the bottom of the vessel, and gently boil upon the coals. However,
the pot should be provided with a cover and be coated with tallow.
Blow with the bellows so that the fire does not become extinguished.
Heat for two hours. Then take equal parts of both Macedonian
copper green and verdigris and 1/2 a part of the bile of a
calf and grind all extremely fine. Then pour thereupon the oil from
unripe olives, measuring with the eye. Then take wax, rub the
stones over with it, and leave them with the oil alone, or with castor
oil besides, which you place in the small pot. Again hang the
stones in a basket and heat for 6 hours. Rehang the stones once
more on a horse hair and let them remain in the mixture over night.
Then take them out and you will find that they have changed to emeralds.
The true meaning of the term “garlic” is explained in recipe No.
51. This is an excellent example of the use of veiled terms and
hidden meanings, a practice which was common among the early
workers.
36. Softening of Crystal
To soften crystal take goat’s blood and dip crystal, which you have
previously heated over a gentle fire, into it until it suits you.
37. Softening of Emerald
THE STOCKHOLM PAPYRUS
Stick hard emerald into wax for 14 days. After this period, grate
“garlic” and make a cake out of it. Take the stone out (of the wax)
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