The "sun ray.""—A
new form of cutting for diamonds, called the "sun ray," has been
invented by Herbert Cooper. The claims for the new cut are that it
gives smaller loss in cutting, with more brilliancy and better color
than in the ordinary "brilliant.'1 The general shape of the
sun ray is similar to that of the brilliant, with the exception of
more weight left above the girdle. There are 49 facets above the
girdle, as against 33 in the brilliant; both forms have 25 facets below
the girdle. The facets above the girdle are so placed as to give a
double-crown effect. The upper crown is the same as in the brilliant,
while the lower crown is cut at a different angle, producing a raised
point where 7 facets meet midway between the table and girdle, which
gives a rose effect. This rose effect is produced eight times around
the stone. Since each rose acts as an individual stone, more light
enters and is reflected, causing a great improvement in color and
brilliancy.
Diamonds in electrical apparatus.—A large number of small diamonds are used in the electrical industry.6
Attention has been called to this fact by the protest made by a large
electrical manufacturing company against a duty being charged on the
importation of stones for industrial purposes. The stones in question
were brown colored and had been advanced in value by being cut and
polished on one side. They were intended for bearings in electric
meters, where the least possible friction is desired.
GARNET.
Almandite.—Mr.
C. A. Beghtol reports the opening of a prospect for almandite garnets
about 2 miles from Canyon, Colo. The stones are said to be of fine
quality and in large quantity, though none have been marketed as yet.
Essonite.—Beautiful essonite garnets have been mined in southern California and over the line in Mexico.
Pyrope.—The
pyrope garnets brought in from scattered localities in the Navajo
Indian Reservation compose the main value of the production of that
stone.
JADE.
BURMA.
The
production of jade (jadeite) in Upper Burma in 1904 and 1905'' was
3,778 hundredweight, valued at £50,726, in 1904,- and 2,685
hundredweight, valued at £45,474, in 1905. The only mines worked are in
the district of Myitkyina, in Upper Burma. The greater part of the
output is exported from Rangoon, though some is carried overland to
China. It is said that the jade industry of Burma'' is to be stimulated
by a railroad built from Manyasrik to the center of the mining district.
According
to Consul-General Amos P. Wilder', of Hongkong, it is impossible to
secure light-green uncut jade except from the Chinese. Canton is the
center of trade for southern China, and buyers must
a Jew. Circ. Weekly. August 1, 1900.
b Western Electrician, May 4, 1907.
"Eec. Geol. Survey India, vol. 34, pt. i, 190«, p. 5(1.
<'Eng. and Min. Jour.. December 1. 190<>.
'II, S. Daily Cons. Repts., January 21, 1907.
