MASSACHUSETTS.
Blue
and yellow beryls of good gem quality were found at Royal-ston, Mass.,
during the year. One crystal of blue beryl was estimated by Mr. H. S.
Williams, formerly of the American Gem and Pearl Company, as being
worth $200.
COLORADO.
Beryl
and aquamarine were reported from the tourmaline deposit in the Royal
Gorge vicinity, Colorado, operated by Mr. C. A. Beghtol, of Canyon.
EMERALD. AUSTRIA.
In a letter from Mr. Arthur Thompson to the editor of the Mining-Journal ,a the
emerald mines of Austria are briefly described. The mines are located
in the Salzburg Mountains at an elevation of over 8,000 feet above the
sea and about 7 miles from Habach station, up the Habach Valley, on a
narrow-gage railroad. They have been worked in a dilatory, immethodical
way. Their value may be judged from the fact that in 1902 about 68,000
carats were mined by six miners in less than four months' time.
The
emerald-bearing matrix (a micaceous and steatitic light-gray and copper
color formation) is reached by four levels driven into the steep
declivity of the mountain, varying in depth of from 600 to 700 feet
below the top of the divide or pass of the two mountains constituting
the great Legback Valley. The emerald-bearing strata are defined on one
side by a highly hornblendic schist and a massive, well-marked gneiss
formation on the other, while in some parts between these formations
large outcrops of serpentinous and other magnesian rocks are
observable; consequently the general geological make-up of this valley
is characteristic of the richest emerald-bearing strata of the oldest
and most famous emerald mines in various parts of the world, especially
the celebrated and ancient Muzo mines of the United States of Colombia.
The
greatest depth reached in the workings is only about 200 feet, though
it is expected that operations will be carried into the heart of the
mountains.
COLOMBIA.
According
to Mr. Henry C. Granger/' emerald mining in Colombia is a Government
monopoly. Short leases only are granted, and 80 per cent royalty is
charged.
Conditions
at the emerald mines of Muzo, Colombia, are described as follows by an
English engineer who examined the mines for the Colombian Government.
The
mines are situated in the State of Boyaca, about one and one-half
hours' ride from the small town of Muzo. The Muzo district, though hot,
is healthy; water and timber are abundant, and the land is fertile.
Labor also seems to be easily obtainable.
The
emerald deposits vary in height from 3,000 to 4,000 feet above the sea
level. Their area extends over many leagues, the Government property
alone being estimated at 40,000 hectares.
