Ch. 6: Beryl (Emerald, Aquamarine), Chrysoberyl, Phenacite, & Euclase

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	UNITED STATES, CANADA AND MEXICO	89

	to him. These the farmers named ' green rocks or bolts,' and became the principal object of the people's searchings. Mr. Stephenson had told them that a dark-green beryl would be valuable if clear and perfect, would in fact be the emerald, and for them to search more carefully than ever to find one. Surely, he had informed the people aright, and had given them a rara avis to look for. It is sufficient to say that within a period of about six years there was found on three plantations in this county, loose in the soil, a number, say ten, of veritable emeralds, none of which, however, were dark-colored or transparent enough for use as gems. All of these specimens went into Mr. Stephenson's collection, with the single exception of one very choice crystal obtained at that locality by the late John T. Humphreys, which crystal is now in the New York State Museum at Albany, after first being in the collection of the late Doctor Eddy of Providence." The original find consisted of nine crystals, one of which was 8 1/2 inches in length (see Colored Plate No. 5), and weighed 9 ounces ; one was 5 inches ; others were over 3 inches in length. For two months during the summer of 1885, mining was carried on with flattering success. In the soil overlying the rock, nine crystals of emerald were found, all doubly terminated and measuring from 1 inch to 3/8 inch (25 to 77 millimeters) in width. This latter crystal is very perfect as a specimen; it is of a fine light-green color, is doubly terminated, and weighs 8\| 3/4 ounces, or only 1/4 ounce less than the famous Duke of Devonshire emerald crystal. Another crystal, doubly terminated, and measuring 2 1/2 inches (63 millimeters) by 11/12 inch (23 millimeters) is filled with large rhombohedral cavities, formerly containing dolomite. As mineral specimens, these crystals are quite unique. The only gem which has been cut from this find was from a crystal found in a pocket at a depth of over 43 feet. In color it is a pleasing light green and weighs 4 23/32 carats. In 1887, at the depth of about 70 feet, another crystal that was cut into a gem of 5 carats was found. Both are too light in color to rank as fine gems. The two largest emeralds, and a series of the smaller ones, are in the cabinet of Clarence S. Bement. Some fine ones are in the British Museum mineral cabinet. The fine emerald color characteristic of many of the crystals is confined to

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