Precious Gem stones production in 1908 Page 80



	PRECIOUS STONES.	857

	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.