Talismanic Use of Beryl

Arnoldus Saxo, writing about 1220, after reciting the virtues of the beryl as given by Marbodus, after Evax and Isidorus, reports in addition that the stone gave help against foes in battle or in litigation; the wearer was rendered unconquerable and at the same time amiable, while his intellect was quickened and he was cured of laziness. (Rose, "Aristotles de lapidibus and Arnoldus Saxo," in Zeitschr. fur D. Alt., New Series.) In the old German translation of Thomas de Cantimpre's "De Proprietatibus Rerum," we read that the beryl reawakens the love of married people (er hat auch die art daz er der elaut lieb wiederpringt). (Konrad von Megenberg, "Buch der Natur," ed. by Dr. Franz Pfeiffer, Stuttgart, 1861.)