254 BULLETIN OF THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE
mining
industry of Anakie suffered a set-back during the war between Russia
and Japan. It recovered from this, however, and gradually improved its
position in conseÂquence of a growing taste for the colour varieties of
sapphire peculiar to the Anakie field.
The
record year was 1913, when the estimated value of the output was
43,292. During the first half of the year 1914 the industry was fairly
prosperous, and though prices were lower than during 1913, the
development of the field made progress. On the outbreak of the war,
however, the industry collapsed owing to the fact that the buying,
cutting, and retailing of the Anakie sapphires had been monopolised by
Germans; and 75 per cent, of the popuÂlation of this gem-mining
district had to leave and seek work elsewhere.
According to the Report of the Under-Secretary for Mines, Queensland, for the year 1915 {Queensland Govt. Min. Journ., 1916,
p. 115), the year 1915 was the dullest on record for sapphire mining,
and the value of the total output was only 600. The outlook at the end
of the year was more hopeful, and it is stated that arrangements have
now been made to market the stones in London, through an agency which
would deal with all classes of stone, and operate quite independently
of enemy countries.
In
view of the fact that the best sapphires from Anakie make very
attractive gems, it seems highly desirable that they should be more
widely known. The following brief account of the nature, mode of
occurrence, and mining of sapphire at Anakie is given for the purpose
of helping to spread a knowledge of these gems among those interested
in the resources of the Empire.
Mineralogical Characters of the Anakie Sapphires
The
crystalline form of the Anakie sapphires is fairly typical. The
hexagonal pyramid is common, but the prism is comparatively rare. The
usual rhombohedral form also occurs, and crystals are frequently
terminated by a basal plane. Basal and rhombohedral partings frequently
occur, and in consequence of these, basal "cleavage" plates,
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