A recent Loudon periodical made the statement that any one who found the sapphire and ruby in its original matrix would soon be called the King of Rubies," and that his fortune would be assured. This recalls the fact that Col. C. W. Jencks, of Boston, was the original finder of the true corundum gems in situ at the Jencks mine at Franklin, North Carolina; that he obtained from this locality nearly all of the fine crystals in the best American collections. One of the most interesting of his finds is a piece of a blue crystal with a white band running across it, and a place in the center where a nodule had dropped ou.t.(a) This piece was cut and placed back in its original place, and the white band can be seen running across both gem and rock. Nearly all of the fine gems from this locality mentioned in the two previous reports were also brought to light by his mining. The gems were found here in their original matrix, but they were of such rare occurrence that it was not feasible to mine for them more thoroughly. The corundum mining has proved profitable, however, and is still carried on by Dr. Lucas.
A number of beryls of flue blue color, resembling the Mourne mountain beryls, have been found near Mount Antero, in the Arkansas valley, Chaffee county, Colorado. One of these was 4 inches long and three eighths of an inch across with cutting material in it. The other crystals measured from 1 inch to 1J inches in length and one fifth to one third inch in width.
The large beryl mentioned in ' Mineral Resources" for 1883 and 1884, has afforded the finest aquamarine of American origin known. It weighs 133§ carats and measures 35 by 35 by 20 millimeters. It is a brilliant cut gem and with the exception of a few internal hair-like striations it is absolutely perfect. The eolor is a deep bluish green, equal to that of gems from any known locality.
Mr. George F. Breed, manager of the Valencia Mica Company, has oat from white beryls nearly 100 aquamarines, ranging from one half to 4 carats in weight, and of a light blue color, which were found in their mica mine at North Groton, Grafton county, New Hampshire.
A number of very fine, deep golden yellow, blue, and green beryls, equaling any ever found, were shown to the writer by Mr. M. W. Barse, of Olean, New York, taken from his mica mine between New Milford and Litchfield, Litchfield county, Connecticut. Some fine blood-red garnets from here were cut into gems. Some other parties have sold stones from the same locality which are possibly new gems nearly as hard as the sapphire, and said to come from South America. Since these statements gained currency abroad a correction was deemed necessary. They are undoubtedly American beryls from the above locality.
The finest large phenacite crystal ever found in the United States is the one in the possession of Mr. Whitman Cross. It was found at Crystal Park. Colorado, weighs 59 pennyweights 6 grains, and measures 46.5
a London Jru-elcr and Metalworker, August, 1836.
