TURQUOISE.
329
shire)
; East Bradford, East Marlborough, and Chester county (Pennsylvania) ;
likewise, of a delicate light-blue, variously shaded, in Foster (Rhode
Island).
The
kyanite has not yet been received as a favorite among the jewellers
(perhaps from not being generally known by them), or else it would long
since have been cut for various ornamental purposes, more particularly
in in this country, where the localities are so numerous and the color
so beautiful. When well cut, it may be substituted for the sapphire. I
indulge the hope that some jewellers or lapidaries may take a hint from
-this remark. In France and Spain, it has for some years past been used
for rings, brooches, and other jewelry. It is generally ground with
emery on a lead wheel, and with pumice-stone polished on a wood plate,
receiving the last polish with rotten-stone. The form it receives is
cabochon or table cut. Usually, the best parts of good uniform colored
specimens are picked out for cutting.
The
price of this stone depends upon the hardness, color, and polish:
perfect specimens command a good price. "Very fine cut specimens are
brought from the East Indies, and sold in France as sapphires.
TURQUOISE.
The
name of this mineral is probably derived from the country whence it was
generally brought into market, which is Turkey. In ancient times it was
used as a remedy for several diseases, and-was also worn as an amulet
against disasters. It occurs in reniform masses and in specks; has a
conchoidal fracture ; is opaque; of a dull and waxy lustre; its colors
are blue and green, from sky-blue to apple-green, sometimes yellowish ;
it scratches apatite, but not quartz nor white glass, and is easily
attacked by the
