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GEMS AND PRECIOUS STONES. 1033
of
several minerals, such as quartz, calcite, dolomite, muscovite, rutile,
black tourmaline, beryl, hiddenite, pyrite, and monazite. A pocket
opened in one of the shafts was so large that W. E. Hidden is said to
have crawled inside of it. The array of glittering crystals lining this
pocket is described as a wonderful sight.
A
quantity of fine beryl and hiddenite crystals was obtained from the
saprolite removed from the open work. Promising specimens of gem beryl
with some hiddenite and many quartz crystals were found in the openings
north and west of the mine. Mining operations in the saprolite are
easy, but in the fresh biotite gneiss they are difficult. Mr. Turner
suggests, and an examination of the locality seems to support his
suggestion, that more of the saprolite along the sides of the open cut
and at the west end might profitably be removed and washed. If the
gently rolling country around the mine were kept under cultivation a
good chance would be offered to locate other veins or to determine the
trend and possible continuation of the gem formation by a careful
search of the fields after rains.
Gem
beryl crystals have been found at several places in the region around
Hiddenite, and one good hiddenite crystal is reported to have been
found about 1 mile east of the mine. These finds, taken into
consideration with the widespread occurrence of beautiful crystals of
quartz, rutile, and other minerals, such as were found in the veins of
the emerald-hiddenite mine, indicate the possible occurrence of other
valuable gem deposits in the region.
W. E. Hidden 1
mentions an occurrence of emeralds and hiddenite discovered by W. H.
Lackey on the Osborne-Lackey place, one-fifth of a mile northwest of
the emerald-hiddenite mine. About 50 emerald crystals, 2 to 7
centimeters long and 2 to 8 millimeters thick, were found. They were
transparent but pale colored. One crystal was large and pure enough to
cut for gems. The hiddenite crystals were pale colored and of very
inferior quality.
Some
promising beryl crystals have been found in a prospect on W. H.
Warren's place about 1-1/2 miles southeast of Hiddenite. A pit 25 feet
long and 15 feet deep was opened in a field where a few surface
specimens had been found. A pegmatite vein nearly 8 feet thick with an
approximate east and west strike and vertical dip was encountered in a
decomposed gneiss formation. The latter is probÂably biotite gneiss
inclosing granite and lies nearly flat. The pegÂmatite is composed of
orthoclase or microcline, gray quartz, and green muscovite, with some
biotite, black tourmaline, dark red opaque garnet, and beryl. The beryl
occurs in pale greenish or aquamarine, yellow, and nearly
golden-colored crystals. The largest crystal seen measured 1 by 1-1/2
inches. Most of the specimens remaining in Mr. Warren's possession are
somewhat checked and flawed, but some have small clear portions which
are very brilliant.
Beryl
crystals are reported to have been found at two places in the fields on
the land of Alexander Miller adjoining the Warren place. Transparent,
slightly smoky quartz crystals were seen at one of these prospects.
Beryl
crystals have been found in two places on the estate of the Miller
heirs, 1-1/2 miles east of Hiddenite on the ridge between Davis Creek
and Little Yadkin River. Good specimens are reported from
i Hidden, W. E., Am. Jour. Sci., 3d ser., vol 29,1885, pp. 250-251.
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