Luminous gemstones

Key facts and history

The luminescent Bologna Stone (impure barite) was discovered by Vincenzo Cascariolo in 1602.^[1] Chlorophane combines thermoluminescence, triboluminescence, phosphorescence, and fluorescence.^[1] The German mineralogist Gustav Rose recorded seeing chlorophane pebbles near the Irtysh River that shone all night from exposure to the sun's heat.^[1] Heating diamonds or white topaz to a temperature below red heat can cause them to phosphoresce.^[1]

Albertus Magnus (c. 1193–1280) is generally credited with first revealing that diamonds phosphoresce when heated by sunlight; Robert Boyle later rediscovered this property in 1663.^[1] Prafulla Chandra Ray reported that the Indian king Bhoja (who reigned from 1010 to 1055) was aware that diamonds can phosphoresce.^[1] In 1735, lapis lazuli, emerald, and aquamarine were identified as luminescent by the French chemist Charles François de Cisternay du Fay.^[1] A faint luminescence can be produced in some fluorite, especially the chlorophane variety, merely by the warmth of a human hand.^[1]

What the cited sources add

The website "Noach and Re-Creation" states that Targum Yonatan may be the first source to claim the tzohar was a luminous stone pulled from the primordial river Pishon.^[2] The Gur Aryeh suggests that illuminating gemstones in the Ark imitated the sun, moon, and stars.^[2] The Bnei Yissaschar quotes the Midrash stating that a precious stone in the Ark shone and told Noah when it was day and night.^[2] Targum Pseudo Jonathan to Genesis 6:16 directs that a precious stone from the river Phison be taken and fixed in the Ark to provide illumination.^[2]