The stones of it are the place of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold.
Sapphires are found in alluvial soil near rocks and embedded in gneiss. The ancients distinguished two kinds:
(1) The real, of transparent blue;
(2) That improperly so called, opaque, with gold spots - i:e., lapis lazuli.
To the latter, looking like gold dust, Umbreit refers 'dust of gold.' The English version is better, 'The stones of the earth are etc., and the clods of it х `aprowt (H6083)] (Vulgate) are gold:' the parallel clauses are thus neater.