This
calcite occurs in a vein cutting igneous rock. Different grades [have
been found suitable for chemical standardizing, specimens, and optical
purposes. The latter variety has been sold in rhombs measuring from 2
to 10 centimeters long for from $2 to $3.50 a pound.
INTERNATIONAL OR METRIC CARAT.
The
new international or metric carat of 200 milligrams, adopted by the
National Jewelers' Board of Trade for the United States, beginning with
July 1, 1913, has been favorably received by the majority of the trade.
The difficulties, due to a readjustment of Weights and prices of stones
already catalogued, have not proved great. Easily applicable tables and
conversion formulas have been supplied by many publications, such as
the Jewelers' Circular-Weekly, of New York; Manufacturing Jeweler, of
Providence, R. I.; and private advertising catalogues. A complete
discussion of the steps leading up to the adoption of the international
carat by the jewelers of the United States has been given by George F.
Kunz.1 The metric carat has already been adopted by a number
of European countries, among which are Germany, France, Holland,
Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain. Beginning with April 1, 1914,
the ;metric carat was adopted by jewelers of Great Britain.2 ;
The new international or metric carat of 200 milligrams replaces a
carat of about 205.3 milligrams weight in the United States and carats
of varying weights in several other countries. The new carat weights
used by jewelers are marked 0.01 cm. to 100 cm., etc.
PUBLICATIONS.
CURIOUS LORE OF PRECIOUS STONES.
A recent book3
by George F. Kunz will prove of interest to all lovers of gems. This
work is handsomely published and contains 86 illustrations, 5 in color.
A good outline of the contents is contained on the title page: "The
curious lore of precious stones, being a description of their
sentiments and folk lore, superstitions, symbolisms, mysticism, use in
medicine, protection, prevention, religion, and divination, crystal
gazing, birthstones, lucky stones and talismans, astral, zodiacal, and
planetary."
RUBY.
A
16-page pamphlet on ruby, giving some practical hints on the detection
of artificial and imitation stones, has been issued by the Burma Ruby
Mines (Ltd.), of London. The pamphlet contains two colored plates
comparing the cr\rstal form and structure of the rough and
cut natural ruby and of the manufactured ruby. The points emphasized in
the natural ruby are that bubble cavities are generally irregular and
angular in shape; color variations are common and generally arranged in
bands either parallel or irregular; striations are straight or bend in
angles; inclusions of foreign particles of various
1
The new international diamond carat ot 200 milligrams: Am. Inst. Min.
Eng. Trans., Butte meeting, August 1913. 'Jewelers' Circular-Weekly,
Dec. 10,1913. •The curious lore of precious stones, J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia, Pa., 1913.
00326°—m b 1913—vol 2------15
