NEVADA.
A
specimen of variscite was received from E. W. Murphy, of the Blair
office of the Tonopah Lumber Company, Esmeralda County. It is solid
variscite with an apple-green to dark-green color, and occurs in vein
form somewhat like turquoise. Specimens of a yellowish mineral
resembling the phosphates associated with variscite in Utah accompanied
the variscite.
ARKANSAS.
Crystallized
variscite has been found in Montgomery County, and described by A. H.
Chester." It occurs as incrustations and shells on quartz, with a
semiglobular radiated structure. The color varies from translucent and
transparent emerald to bluish green to nearly colorless.
PRODUCTION.
The
value of the output of precious stones in the United States during
1908, furnished in part by the producers and estimated in part from the
quantity or the production, was consideably lower than in 1907. A great
decline in the production of sapphire was in part offset by a large
increase in the production of turquoise. The decrease in the production
of sapphire was due to the closing down of work by three of the large
sapphire producers in Montana. The general depression in trade
conditions did not affect the demand for turquoise matrix, though the
market for pure turquoise was dull during much of the year. The
production of californite during 1908 was not notably different from
that of 1907, though none of the output was sold and has therefore not
been added to the table of production. Some gems show a considerable
increase in 1908 over 1907. Among them are azurmalachite, benitoite,
amazon stone, garnet, variscite, etc.
There
is a production of several varieties of gems each year for which it has
not been possible to obtain figures. Among these are chlorastrolite,
thompsonite, datolite, and agates from the Lake Superior region,
chalcedony moonstones, anthracite coal for ornamental purposes, jet,
etc. It is hoped figures of production of these minerals may be
obtained hereafter. One of the chief difficulties arises from the
irregular way in which many of these minerals are collected and the
diverse channels through which they pass in reaching the jewelry
trade. It is not possible to obtain accurate figures of production of
many varieties of precious stones produced regularly. The necessity of
estimating the value, in certain cases, of part of the production from
the quantity, sometimes without knowing the quality of the material,
causes great uncertainty. As the reports received from the producers
often do not state whether their figures are for rough, selected, or
cut gems, the values will often show large discrepancies from previous
years and will not represent a definite quantity or quality of material.
•Am. Jour. Sci., 3d ser., vol. 13,1877, pp. 216-217.
