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THE PRECIOUS CORUNDUM.
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mineral in Macon County, west of the Blue Ridge, North
Carolina, in 1858, enclosed in the veins of a green rock, thought to be serpentine or lepidolite. Some attempts were then made, for the first time, at mining this stone, but it was not until 1872 that any systematic work was carried on at these mines. Since that date, a number of specimens of the precious corundum have been collected from this locality, which have been regarded by some as equal to those found in waterworn pebbles, and the compeers of the best oriental varieties ; but skilful experts pronounce them inferior in quality to Asiatic specimens. Two colors in the same crystal are rare even in the Ceylon
corundums, but those of Macon County sometimes exhibit several hues in the same stone,—as red, pink, green, yellow, and others, and occasionally the colors blend, yet appear distinct when seen at different angles. Some of the crystals are of a large size, one having been found which weighed three hundred and twelve pounds, now belonging to the cabinet of Amherst College. Nine different varieties of the corundum designated oriental, have been taken from the mines since their opening. The associated gem-minerals are similar to those found with the Ceylon specimens, including chysolite, spinel, zircon, tourmaline, chalcedony, and rock-crystal. Mr. Hamlin says, in reference to these corundums, that
many of the crystals are limpid, but in consequence of their being crossed in all directions with cleavage-planes, and from the irregular distribution of their colors, they are unsuitable for jewelry, with the exception of very small gems of a few grains in weight, which may he cut from some transparent masses. He admits the colors are often very fine, especially the blues and yellows, but the reds lack the true "pigeon's-blood" tint. Mr. Kunz, writing on the same subject, says that of fifty speci- |
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