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56                    HISTORY OF THE GEMS FOUND IN NORTH CAROLINA.
it seems remarkable that almost no tourmalines of this kind have been found in all the mining and prospecting work.
CHRYSOLITE (OLIVINE, PERIDOT).
This mineral is a silicate of magnesia and iron. It occurs largely in an altered form in North Carolina, as the leading constituent of the decomposed peridotites called dunites, but very rarely in its unchanged condition. It is a green to yellow mineral, nearly as hard as quartz (6.5-7), and when transparent and in pieces of any size, it is valued as a brilliant gem-stone,—the. chrysolite or peridot of jewelers. Xear Webster, in Jackson County, it is found in granular masses, of a bright yellow-green color, and susceptible of a fine high polish. This material, if present in any quantity, might be utilized as a pleasing ornamental stone; but not as a gem, unless more transparent and in larger pieces.
SERPENTINE.
This mineral, a hydrous silicate of magnesia, occurs widely distributed throughout some portions of the State, and is often a result of the alter­ation of the olivine-bearing rocks (peridotite, dunite) already repeatedly mentioned. At some points it is massive and of good color and quality, such as might be used for building-stone, as it is frequently near Phila­delphia. But the translucent and rich green variety known as precious serpentine, which is used as an ornamental stone like that of Maryland, has been recognized only at a few points and does not appear as yet to have been utilized at all. Dr. Pratt mentions several promising outcrops in Buncombe Count}', between Leicester and Weaversville. and others in Madison and Yancey counties. Still another, where the serpentine is of fine quality, is in Wilkes County, where it forms the rock of the asbestos