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504 APPENDIX.
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such exceptional occurrence as to command fancy prices. Again, a Ruby of four carats, but of a pale color, may not be worth £12 stg.
The Emerald is so rarely found perfect that the saying, " An Emerald without a flaw," has passed into a proverb. A good Emerald is at the present day worth more than a Ruby, on account of the pleasing effect it has both by day and candle-light, and is a very favorite gem; stands high in value; but the Emeralds found lat-terly and brought into market are far inferior to those formerly found. A good Emerald is worth in this country $40 to $50 per carat. In England the price ranges from 5s. to £15 stg. per carat; but one of deep, rich grass-green color, clear and free from flaws, may bring from £20 to £40 stg. per carat.
Sapphire.—A fine, perfect, evenly colored spread Sapphire, weighing one carat, of a deep rich blue color, by night as well as by day, is worth £20 stg.; it does not, however, increase so much in value in proportion to its size.
The Spinel or Balais-Ruby, if of good quality, is sold from 10s. to £8 stg. per carat. The value is extremely uncertain and variable; it depends entirely on caprice and fashion.
The Topaz.—The commercial nature of the Topaz as a jewel is entirely fictitious. A very fine stone can now be bought for a few shillings sterling, while, it would have brought a great deal more when in fashion. Pink Topaz brings from £2 stg. to £20 stg. per ounce, the price depending on the depth of the pink color.
Beryl or Aquamarine.—The commercial value of this stone is trifling, and is used mostly for imitation jewelry. Zircon, Hyacinth or Jacinth, are also called Jargoon, These stones are identically the same, but differ in color; the red varieties are sometimes sold for inferior Rubies. The Jargoon is frequently cut in the form of a Rose Diamond, which is flat at the bottom and pointed at the top. The price is purelyTirbitrary.
The Garnet, Essonite, Pyrope and Almandine.—The color of the Syrian Garnet, being of deep crimson, is at present much in vogue, and commands a fair price, say from $1 to $2 per carat.
The Bohemian Garnets are worth from $15 to $25 per ounce.
Amethyst.—A fine deep-colored stone, of the size of a twenty-five cent piece, is worth, from $80 to $100 per ounce; smaller sizes and inferior qualities are sold for 50 cents to $10 apiece.
Peridote, Chrysolite.—The value of both stones is but small; fan-specimens of good size may be bought at from 25c. to $5 per carat.
Turquoise.—The Persian is much used in jewelry; small, clear
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