RUBIES FROM OTHER LOCALITIES.
Although
Burma, Siam and Ceylon are the only countries, which have hitherto
yielded Rubies in quantity of any commercial importance, it must be
remembered that red or reddish Corundum has been found in many other
localities, and it seems likely that the Ruby enjoys a wider
geographical distribution than is generally admitted.
At
Jagdalak, 32 miles east of Kabul, Rubies were systematically worked by
the Amir of Afghanistan. In 1879 the mines were visited by Major G.
Stewart; and from specimens supplied by him, it appears, according to
Mr. F. R. Mallet, that the Ruby occurs there in a white crystalline
micaceous limestone.
Major
Moriarty, on his return from Cabul, brought to this country a Ruby,
weighing 10-1/2 carats, from the mines of Gandamak, in Afghanistan,
which are situated about 30 degs. N. lat, and 70 degs. E. long.
From
Thibet the author on one occasion received a large piece of rough Ruby,
weighing 2000 carats, forming a flattish slab, measuring on one face 3
inches by 2-1/2 inches. It was, however, opaque and silky, and
when cut yielded only Star Stones. Rubies have also been found in the
Mysore district, and some cut by the author's directions have turned
out bright stones, but of small size, arid of no value ; the principal
part being only Corundum.
Rubies
of small size and of very little value have occasionally been found in
some of the tin and gold-bearing gravels of Australia. In New South
Wales they are recorded from the Cudgegong and some of its tributaries,
and from Mudgee and a few other localities. In Victoria the Ruby occurs
in the drifts of the Beechworth gold-fields, at Pakenham, and
elsewhere. A magenta-coloured Corundum, more or less opaque, is known
in Victoria under
