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MINERAL RESOURCES.
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Catlinite (pipestone).—This
mineral is found in large beds in the upper Missouri region, and in
Pipestone county, Minnesota. As yet it has only been used by the
Indians. It would furnish a cheap orna-mental stone.
Axinite has not been found in fine or large enough crystals to fur:
Titanite (sphene).—This mineral is met with in abuudance in furnish and
brown crystals, yet no gems have been found in the United States,
although it occurs in such rich, vitreous, yellow gems in Switzerland.
Cassiterite has not been observed except in fractured crystals, and none
have been found clear enough to cut even a small gem. The wood-tin of
Durango, Mexico, is used to a very limited extent on the Pacific coast,
the stone being simply polished flat.
Amber has been found at Gay: Head, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket, Massachusetts; at Harrisonville, (a) Gloucester
county, near Trenton, near Camden, and all through the marl region of
New Jersey; and at a number of other localities in the United States;
but only rarely of a quality or in sufficient quantity to warrant its
use in the arts.
Jadeite.—An
impure variety is found near Easton, Pennsylvania; and it has recently
been brought from Alaska in the form of ornaments, and has also been
found in place there. This mineral has not been isised in the arts as
yet from any American locality.
Ilvaite.—This mineral has not been found in compact or large enough pieces to afford gem stones.
Lapis lazuli has not been found at any American locality.
Pyrite is
found in beautiful crystals, and in compact masses of a fine yellow
color at many American localities, notably in Gilpin county, Colorado.
It has little or no value as an ornament, although it has been used to
some extent abroad in former times.
Sodalite is
found associated with cancrinite, elaeolite, and in fine blue patches
and masses, some several inches across and one inch thick. Fine pieces
are of rare occurrence, and the stone is only a mineralogi-cal gem.
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