BURKE J.G. (1986) Cosmic Debris, Meteorites in History, pp. 221-223: It is impossible to estimate the original size of the stone or even its present dimensions. One observer in the early tenth century wrote that it had a length of 1 cubit (slightly over 2 feet). Another, who saw it during the remodeling of the wall in the early seventeenth century, stated that it measured 1.5 by 1.33 yards. Ali Bey stated that it was 42 inches high, and Mohammed Ali reported that it was 2.5 feet long and 1.5 feet high. At present, the exposed face, which is surrounded by a wide oval frame of silver, measures 20 by 16 cm - approximately the same dimensions of the face recorded by Ali Bey. Burckhardt wrote that the face was composed of a dozen smaller stones of various sizes and shapes; at present eight small pieces comprise the face, the largest about the size of a date. The criteria for judging what mineral species the stone contains have been the color, texture, and estimated specific gravity. According to one legend, the angel gave Abraham a transparent hyacinth; according to another, it was originally pure white and became black either because it was kissed by a sinner or because of the sins of mankind. The exterior face of the stone is black and highly polished, due to its having been rubbed by millions of pilgrims. Modern observers report that there are a few white or yellow dots on the face, and an official record states that it is white with the exception of the face. Von Laurin described the fragment he saw, which was purportedly carried away by Mohammed Ali, as having a pitch-black exterior and a silver-gray, fine-grained interior, in which tiny bottle-green cubes were embedded. Burckhardt wrote that it was difficult to judge the quality of the stone, but that it appeared to be lava. The English resident Lyons, who, according to von Laurin, thought the stone was a meteorite, remarked that it was heavy. Another report, however, stated that it floated on water; this quality permitted the identification of the pieces recovered from its initial theft.
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