ordinary quality, and the remainder would probably be suitable only for specimens or might be cut into cheap gems.
The
possible extension of this amethyst vein is concealed by its location
in the woods. Three small amethysts were found in the light sandy soil
of a field about 50 yards S. 40° E. of the pits. Further prospecting
might show the continuation of the vein to this point.
No
work had been done at the prospect 150 yards southeast of the house,
but a quantity of amethystine quartz crystals have been found in the
light sandy soil at that place. The crystals are scattered over a belt
about 30 feet wide and nearly 100 feet long in a west of north
direction. Some of them are quite clear, but only pale purple. Common
vein quartz and quartz inclosing plates of titanic iron also occur with
the amethyst. An east-west crosscut trench would probably locate the
vein.
Only
a few specimens of amethysts were seen on the old John Buxton Williams
place, but the quality of these and reports concerning the quantities
of fine specimens that had been carried away show that the prospect is
a very promising one. No digging has been done, but the crystals have
been picked up as specimens by different people during many years,
apparently with little thought of their possible value. The amethysts
are found on a knoll about a quarter of a mile northwest of the house,
outside of the southeast corner of the Williams cemetery. The knoll has
been cultivated and is covered with light sandy soil containing angular
fragments of fine granite gneiss, quartz, feldspar, and pegmatite
composed of smoky quartz, potash feldspar, and mica. Porphyritic
hornblende crystals were observed along the bedding planes of some of
the fine granite gneiss.
The
amethysts are scarce on the surface now, but information furnished by
persons who have been visitors at the Williams place shows that they
were plentiful some years ago. The specimens found at the time of
examination consisted of stout crystals, the largest one measuring 2
inches thick and 2 inches long. The color of the best specimens was
very similar to that of the amethyst from the Alston place—that is,
characterized by a fine reddish-violet tint. These crystals are clear
and brilliant. The color is segregated in patches or layers, and is in
evident relation to the crystal structure. The large crystal mentioned
is rather pale purple and incloses a few scattered reddish rutile
needles. One specimen is partly incrusted with black manganese oxide,
like those at the Alston prospect. The occurrence of amethysts on the
surface with the depth of color and transparency of a few of those
found is considered an especially good indication of a deposit
containing good gem material.
As
far as could be learned no real gem amethyst has been found on Mrs.
Jennie Connell's plantation. A few specimens of amethystine quartz have
been found in cultivated land north of the house. In the specimens seen
the purple occurred in patches through smoky and gray quartz. Rough
fragments of smoky and gray quartz are abundant over the ground in the
vicinity. Bluish-green fractured beryl has been found in pegmatite a
few hundred yards west of the Connell house in a little stream. The
possible occurrence of a better grade of beryl suitable for gems had
not been determined.
Lincoln County.—There are many occurrences of amethyst in Lincoln County. Besides the few places described below other
