Rock-crystal

A material much used for carving in China. Fortune says, “Fine specimens of rock-crystal, carved into figures, cups, and vases, are met with in the curiosity shops of Foo-chow-foo. Some of these specimens are white, others golden yellow, and others again blue and black. One kind looks as if human hair was thrown in and crystallized. Imitations of this stone are common in Canton, made into snuff-bottles, such as are commonly used by the Chinese.” The Greek name ( κρύσταλλος, ice) refers to the belief that it was frozen water; the Indians believe it to be the husk of which the diamond is the kernel, and call it the unripe diamond; in Japan it is cut into round balls used for cooling the hands; in China also it is extensively carved; in the Middle Ages it was highly valued throughout Europe as a detector of poison. Still more recently crystal balls have been supposed to have magical influence, and used for divination and conjuring.