PRECIOUS STONES. 497
ide
of manganese, equal in every respect to the finest from Russia. It also
occurs in pink and flesh colored masses mixed with rhodocrocite, at the
Alice mine, Butte City, Montana. It has been very little used in the
arts.
Bowenite.—This
variety of serpentine is found in some quantity at Smithfield, Rhode
Island. Its rich color, peculiar toughness, and hardness, recommend
its use where jade has heretofore been employed.
Williamsite.—This
variety of serpentine from Texas, a town of Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania, has been used to a limited extent as a substitute for
jade, it being more easily cut and usually of a more pleasing color.
The amount realized from this stone is not more than $100 per annum.
Fluorite.—Fluorite
has been found at many localities in the United States, some of the
richest colors in Hardin county, Illinois, at Rose Clare, Shawneetown,
and Elizabethtown. In the mounds in this region it is occasionally
found shaped into ornaments by the hand of prehistoric man. (a) This
is the only use it has had as yet as an ornament in the United States.
The amount mined here for the arts figures over $15,000 per annum.
Fossil coral.—The
fossil corals found in Iowa, near Dubuque, have been used to some
extent in jewelry, shaped into stones for cuff, shirt, and vest
buttons, the light cream color making a very quiet, rich stone for this
purpose. The amount used is less than $250 per annum.
Malachite.—Malachite,
although occurring in many localities in the United States, and in
considerable abundance at times as one of the ores, or associated with
the other ores of copper, is however very rarely found in a form fit
for cutting, and no cut specimens have come under our notice.
Jet.—This
substance has been found in abundance and of very good parity in El
Paso county, Colorado, and in some parts of Texas. As jet it has not
been utilized in the arts, although it is likely to be at no distant
day. A large number of pieces have been polished for cabinet specimens,
and the sale of these in the last seven years has probably mounted to
several thousand dollars.
Andalusite is
found at a number of localities, and recently in crystals me inch in
diameter and six inches long at Gorham, near Sebago lake, ilaine; yet
no transparent gem stones have been furnished from any American
locality.
Chiastolite (macle).—Many
hundred beautiful crystals of this mineral, with its curious cross-like
markings, have been found; yet no use has been made of it for gem
purposes, although a number are sold abroad for this purpose. There are
occurrences at Lancaster, Massachusetts, and in California.
Natrolite occurs at many localities in beautiful crystals, but too small for cut for gems.
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