Gems Notes and Extracts Augusto Castellani, Mrs. John Brogden 1871

OWAEOVITE.1G1It is met with in veins alongwith the Orientalopal, in argillaceous porphyry, and sometimes inmetalliferous ridges. The opal in general cutssmooth and full, whether in an oval lenticular formor as a drop.Fine opals are always set clear, as those set otherwiseeasily deceive the eye. It is well known thatblack increases very much the natural or artificialfire of the opal ;and this is so well known, that sets ofopals in commerce are always presented on a smooth,bright black card.The common opal is of very little value ;the Mexicanred is of less ;and the Oriental isvery much esteemed.The opal was well known to, and appreciated by theancients.Pliny tells us that it was found only in India.Everybody knows that the Roman senator Nuniopreferred enduring the penalties of exile rather thanyield a very beautiful opal to the rapacious MarkAntony.The Indians valued it as much as the diamond.This gem does not take engraving well.A SORT of garnetLXXIII.OWAROVITE.thus named in honour of one Owarovit,President of the Imperial Academy ofScience atM