part
of the crystals had been broken away by mineral collectors. One of
these crystals measured about an inch in diameter but was somewhat
flawed. Little attention is paid to such minerals by the quarrymen, and
most of the best specimens are found by collectors. Most of the beryls
obtained are kept as cabinet specimens, but occasional gems are cut
from some of the crystals.
CHRYSOPRASE.
CALIFORNIA.
Two
specimens of chrysoprase were received from Messrs. L. H. and H. H.
Rhodes, Oakland, Cal., which had been found about 15 miles northwest of
Coalinga, in Fresno County. This material was obtained from a prospect
being developed for cinnabar, and if mining for that mineral is
continued, further prospecting for the chrysoprase will be carried on.
The specimens consist of fragments from a vein about half an inch
thick. They have a dark-green color, but not so bright as that
exhibited by the best chrysoprase.
DIAMONDS.
ARKANSAS.
In the Arkansas diamond field prospecting was continued by the Kimberlite Diamond Mining & Washing
Co. whenever funds were available. Very little work was done by the
Arkansas Diamond Co., and a few stones reported found by that company
were picked up from the surface or from concentrates obtained during
previous washing. No work was done by the Ozark Diamond Mining
Corporation, and in December, 1914, the mill and property of this
company were sold by a receiver to the Kimberlite Co. The property of
the American Diamond Mining Co. was idle during the year and also sold
by a receiver. The work of the Kimberlite Co. consisted in some mining
at its workings on the original peridotite area in which diamonds were
found and in washing of blue earth in the mill. Outside reports state
that a number of diamonds were found, but the policy of the company at
present is to withhold information on this subject. Accordingly, in the
table of production giving the output of diamonds the output of this
company is not included, but will be given in whatever year the
company sees fit to furnish this information.
CALIFORNIA.
Information
regarding the diamonds found in Butte County, Cal., during 1914 has
been furnished by Messrs. M. J. Cooney and William Fliedner, of
Oroville, Cal. Ten to a dozen diamonds were found by different parties
operating sluice boxes in the old placer ground at Cherokee Flats. Five
of these stones are reported to be white or colorless and flawless,
ranging from half a carat to 1-1/4 carats. The weights of the three
larger stones are given as 1.29, 1.25, and 1.11 metric carats,
respectively. Some of the diamonds found during 1914 along with others
found in previous years have been placed on exhibition at the
Panama-Pacific International Exposition by the Sacramento Valley
Association.
