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Ch. 5: Gems of the USA

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PRECIOUS STONES OF THE UNITED STATES.
(From " Ceylon Observer," Jany. 2$th, 1888.) These are described in a very interesting article in the Christmas number of Harper's Magazine. This article we now transfer 1o our compilation, and we only regret we cannot reproduce the truly beautiful coloured lithograph in which the typical gems and crystals are portrayed. The first is the diamond, which exists, but does not abound, in the United States. Then there are sapphires in different forms, one in the matrix, corundum being pretty common in the United States, and utilized for polishing purposes. Topaz is next figured, and then a truly magnificent beryl or emerald crystal, the largest known, its length being SJ inches. Next in size is a specimen of tourmaline, a gem which in the United States assumes dimensions and disp'ays beauty of colouring which leave all Ceylon specimens far behind. A beryl or aquamarina of 133J carats is figured, and a lovely yellow or golden beryl. Specimens of garnets, "the finest in the world" are figured, and also of " green peridot, or Job's tears," which are found associated with them, and which are said to be carried to the tops of anthills, not only by the ants, but by scorpions! The statement is gravely made, with no attempt at explanation. How either ants or scorpions could carry gems of any size, or why they should do so, we cannot see. A gem which has been named " Hiddenite" is said to be peculiar to the United States. It is a silicate of alumina and very beautiful. A fine amethyst is figured, and a " cairngorm" or smoky topaz, following which we have turquoise in the matrix. Then we have figures of Indian arrowheads, formed of rock crystal, jaspar and chalce­dony. A very fine fresh-water pearl is finally shown on the page of illustra­tions, which is itself "a thing of beauty." Many gems and crystals beyond those figured are described in the paper, many of which are said to be peculiar to the United States, where as in other auriferous countries gems are found associated with gold. Fragments of diamonds are often found in the debris operated on by the stampers used in reducing auriferous rock. The curious fact is mentioned that gems which are blue, green and other colours by daylight all show red in artificial light. They must be allied to the Ceylon "alexandrite." Crystals of spinel, the finest the world has ever known, some of them over 6 inches in diameter, (!) have been mined in America. Proper search in our own mountain limestone might reveal fine spinels. Opaque crystals of topaz one foot square have been found. Quartz crystals penetrated by black hornblende and moss agates are very beautiful, as also polished pieces of fossil corals. Silicified woods have yielded sections rich and varied in colour and 29 inches in diameter for table tops. The "rutiles" (pure titanic acid) of America are said to "lead the world," and lodestone of great magnetic power exists. Of jet, masses 1 foot long, an inch thick, and four inches wide abound. What is said about the fresh-water pearls is very interesting in connection with our own sea pearls.
PRECIOUS STONES IN THE UNITED STATES.
BY GEORGE f. KUNZ. {From " Harper's Magazine," X'mas Number, l8Sy.)
[We regret we cannot reproduce the plates and figures referred to in this paper.—Compilers.]
Although nearly all the known varieties of gems have been found in the . United States, and some of them in exceptionally fine specimens, their total value is very small, in comparison with the great extent of the field. But while this is not a gem-producing country, a resume of what has been found here will undoubtedly be of interest, especially as many stones are peculiar to the United States. Very little systematic mining or working for gems and precious stones has ever been done in this country. In most of the gem localities, they
  
 
 
  
     
 
Ch. 4: Rubies from Australia Page of 442 Ch. 5: Gems of the USA
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