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Quartz has but little value of its own; but when it is made into vases, cups, and other artistic objects, it acquires a high price.
The Athenians produced some exquisite works of art in rock crystal, and the Romans valued it very highly in the form of vases. Nero had two cups of it, which he broke in his rage when he heard of the revolt that caused his downfall. One of these cups was estimated at over $1900.
The elegantes of Rome were in the habit of using balls of rock crystal to cool their hands, and certain occult charms were also said to reside in these cold smooth globes.
In the middle ages the Venetians produced some beautiful objects in rock crystal; and Milan has long been famous for its statuettes, vases, and girandoles of this material. But desire of gain has deteriorated the artistic value of these productions; cut crystals have come to be sold by weight, and the cutting is naturally falling into neglect.
In the cathedral at Milan the burial shrine of St. Charles Borromeo is wholly formed of plates of rock crystal of 6 or 8 inches square each, set in a framework of silver. The shrine was the gift of Philip IV. of Spain, who employed eight years in collecting the necessary quantity of rock crystal. |
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Precious Stones Guide Vol 2
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