Gold and gemstones excepted

Meaning

Gold and precious stones are expressly excepted from a claim about corrupting components in lower compounds. The exception is limited by the perfection Nature has been able to attain.

II.3.29 first explains pallor through smoky sulphur and earthly darkness, then offers withdrawal of clear blood toward the heart as another account. In the wider conclusion, earthly dregs and sulphurous adustion threaten all compounds, except gold and gems worked by Nature as far as possible. The qualification prevents either an unqualified universal impurity claim or an unlimited claim of supernatural perfection for these bodies. Ordinary gold's exemption here does not cancel II.4.19's denial that ordinary gold itself suffices to heal or transmute.

The English preserves hormis as “except” and autant qu'il luy a esté possible as the limit. It also keeps “one may also say” before the second explanation of pallor rather than silently choosing one theory.