Gemstones: Lapis Lazuli, Spodumene (Hiddenite), Smaragdite, Iolite, Diopside, Rhodonite, Enstatite, Bronzite, Wollastonite, Crocidolite, Willemite, Vesuvianite, Allanite, Gadolinite, Epidote, Zoisite, Axinite, Danburite, Lepidolite, Scapolite, Cancrinite, Sodalite, Elaeolite, Page 174



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	equal in quality and beauty to the Russian rhodonite, which is made into vases and also table-tops and mantels. This material has recently been used very effectively in combination with unpolished or stone-finished silver, as handles for very fine ornaments, the rose-color streaked with black affording a pleasing contrast. Its hardness is only 6.5, but it is nearly as tough as jade. In Russia it is largely used as a gem and ornamental stone for jewelry, jewel caskets, tables, mantels, and altars and pillars of churches. Enstatite and bronzite occur in many localities in the United States. The best varieties are found half a mile west of Texas, Pa., in beautiful massive foliated varieties. Bronzite was observed by Prof. Frederick A. Genth, in Pennsylvania, near Crump's serpentine quarry ; near Media, in Middletown Township ; in Marple Township, forming the mass of country rock; in Newtown Township; and near Radnor, Delaware County. Bronzite and enstatite are also found in large quantities at Bare Hills, near Baltimore, Md. If cut across the fibres, it shows a cat's-eye effect, but it is not fine enough to furnish gems for commerce. A very interesting form of wollastonite, found by C. D. Nimms near Bonaparte Lake, Lewis County, N. Y., is described by Dr. Samuel L. Penfield. It occurs in distinct crystals and in all gradations to the fibrous form, and varies in color from a white to a faint yellowish pink. It has nearly the toughness and hardness of jadeite, and might be mistaken for Chinese jade. Crocidolite was observed by Joseph Wilcox in long, delicate fibres of a blue color, in one of the western counties of North Carolina. Theodore D. Rand found a dark-bluish fibrous mineral at the Falls of the Schuylkill, and T. W. Roepper found it at Coopersburgh, Lehigh County, Pa., associated with white and brownish-white garnet and bluish-white crystalline fibrous coatings, which may belong here. It also occurs at Eland Fountain, Orange County, N. Y. Prof. Albert H. Chester, of Hamilton College, published analyses of the crocidolite from Beacon Hill Cumberland, R. I., a very interesting variety of this mineral though not in gem form.¹ It has not been found in gem form in ¹ See Am. J. Sci. III., Vol. 34, p. 108, Aug., 1887.