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Sec. III, Ch. 4: The Saffire

Sec. III, Ch. 4: The Saffire Page of 366 Sec. III, Ch. 4: The Saffire Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
186                               The Sapphire.
the crystals was published, soon after the discovery, by Mr. F. R. Mallet, in the Records of the Geological Survey of India. He pointed out that the crystals were mostly double hexagonal pyramids, often irregular in shape, much flattened, and deeply furrowed with horizontal striations. A large number were milky, and of pale bluish-grey colour» while many were rendered imperfect by " silkiness." The Sapphires were in many cases penetrated by dark brown and green Tourmaline. Specimens preserved in the author's collection of rough Precious Stones exhibit these characters.
Some of the Cashmere Sapphires are of very fine » colour, but many are depreciated in value by a slight opacity, and are streaky in a strong light.
The discovery of Sapphires in Cashmere is said to have taken place in this wise. Near the spot where the stones are found lived a " Bhôt Lamba," or monk, who first observed a pale blue vein in the rock. He broke off pieces and exchanged them with traders for sugar and tobacco, carefully concealing from whence he obtained his treasures. Subsequently he disposed of a quantity to some Lahul men, who took them to Simla. One piece said to have been about a foot long and three or four inches in circumference, he was persuaded to give to one of his brotherhood, in order to have a " Shib " or idol made of it. A lapidary who was to make it into an idol, finding it extremely hard, came to the conclusion it must be of value; and showed it to an official, who decided to send it to the Maharajah of Cashmere, at Jummoo. On enquiry being made, a messenger was despatched to bring the Lamba who found the stone, and he was forced to disclose the locality where he obtained it. The Maharajah immediately sent a responsible official and a strong guard to protect the place, until the actual value of the discovery should be known.
Sec. III, Ch. 4: The Saffire Page of 366 Sec. III, Ch. 4: The Saffire
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