of
turquoise and matrix. Later the property was purchased by Messrs. E. C.
Smith & McGaw, of Pasadena, under the name of the Cortez Turquoise
Co. A quantity of development work has been done, which shows the
presence of turquoise in an area 50 feet wide and several hundred feet
long.
So
far the best turquoise has been found within 15 feet of the surface,
but the mineral has been found to persist much deeper. One nugget taken
out by the Cortez Turquoise Co. is reported to have weighed about 5
pounds and to be composed of solid turquoise. Another nodule broken in
blasting showed a face 5 inches long and 2-1/2 inches wide. These large
nuggets are not of the best grade, but are equal to the average output
of the mine. One nugget weighing about half a pound is reported to be
hard and of good azure-blue color. A large oval cabochon-shaped gem
measuring 43 by 67 millimeters, described by S. B. Clem, of the
Redondo Gem Co., of Redondo, Cal., as being cut from a nugget weighing
19 ounces, probably came from the Cortez Turquoise Co.'s mine. This gem
is reported to be of good azure-blue color, without matrix or other
defect. Some matrix gems are cut showing the turquoise and brownish
iron-stained matrix, but part of the matrix is somewhat softer than the
turquoise and does not polish so well.
NEW MEXICO.
Mr.
L. M. Richard, of Silver City, N. Mex., reports the occurrence of
turquoise in the White Signal mining district, Grant County, N. Mex.
The prospect is about three-fourths of a mile southeast of the
Paddyford mine. It is owned by V. F. Mueller and has been tested to a
small extent. The turquoise occurs as thin seams or bands along the
contact of fine-grained diorite inclusions in granite. The veinlets are
hard, with good color, and, with the associated matrix, might prove of
value for cutting into cameo gems.
VARISCITE.
UTAH.
The
production of variscitc in 1914 came chiefly from Utah. There was very
little activity at the numerous deposits that have been prospected and
worked in Nevada. In Utah the output came from the chlorutahlite mine
of Don Maguire, in Clay Canyon, 1-1/2 miles west of Fairfield, in Utah
County, and from the amatrice mine of the Occidental Gem Co., 14 miles
southwest of Tooele, in Tooele County. In the mining of the
chlorutahlite a quantity of yellowish to greenish banded phosphatic
mineral was obtained, which forms deposits similar to the variscite,
and in some cases incloses the variscite. Recently a quantity of this
material has been cut and sold under the name of "sabalite." It has a
dull light greenish-yellow color and shows a banded texture very
similar to agate. "Sabalite" has been favorably received as a western
gem stone for the souvenir trade.
MISCELLANEOUS.
APATITE.
P.
P. Pulsifer, of Auburn, Me., reports the finding during 1914 of the
finest crystal of purple apatite that has been taken from his feldspar
quarry. This quarry has yielded a large number of exception-
