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UNITED STATES, CANADA AND MEXICO 269
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red orthoclase with white quartz, is a beautiful ornamental stone, and admits of a good polish.
Idocrase
occurs in wax-yellow crystals imbedded in limestone, in Grenville,
Que., in crystals of remarkable perfection and rich brown color; in a
white calcite, near Wakefield, Que.; on Frye's Island, N. B. ; and in
large brown crystals at Calumet Falls, Que. Some of these would cut
small gems, for which there is a slight demand to represent the initial
I in sentimental jewelry.
Pyrite
is found in many localities, but nowhere in great perfection. It was
extensively cut and polished for ornaments a century ago, but has been
largely superseded by the more recent introduction of steel jewelry.
Hematite
occurs, finely crystallized, at Cape Spencer, and exceptionally perfect
and brilliant at Digby Neck, N. S., Sussex, Kings County, and Black
River, St. John County, N. B. This fibrous form of red oxide of iron is
extensively worked into jewelry in England and Germany ; but it has not
been found of sufficient value in Canada to warrant working, as it can
be cut so much more cheaply abroad. All the hematite jewelry of the
Lake Superior region is believed to be foreign, not only in
workmanship, but in material.
Although
olivine, chrysolite, or peridot, is found in a number of localities as
a rock constituent, and often in the form of imperfect olive and
amber-colored crystals, 1/2 an inch in diameter, at Mount Royal,
Montarville, Mount Albert, and Rougemont, Que., it has not yet been
observed of sufficient clearness and perfection to afford gems of any
value.
The andalusite, found on Lake St. Francis, Que., in small, flesh-red prisms not exceeding 1/10 inch
in diameter, and also in black crystals and the variety known as
chiastolite, made, or cross stone, is sold abroad for use in jewelry.
It also occurs at Guys-borough, N. S., in fair macles.
Of
the deep chrome-green pyroxene found at Orford, Que., many fine
crystals have been found. Occasionally they are transparent and would
afford gems. The lilac-colored variety from Grenville, Que., does not
admit of a fine polish.
Staurolite has been found at several localities in Nova Scotia,
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