Weekly Trinity journal., 1870-04-02

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The following is part of paper read at a
late meeting of the Microsopal Society of San
Francisco.
An interesting article appeared in the Amer-
can supplement of the Chemical News, for No
vember, 500, on the occurrence OF diamonds in
the native platinum of Oregon. The commun-
cation is of high Authority, being from the pen
of Professor F. Wohler, of Gottingen. After re-
moving gold, platinum, chronic iron, silica,
ruthenium, etc, by the usual methods, he exam
ined the residue microscopically, and observed
coorless, transparent grains, which he pre-
sumed to be diamonds. Subsequent combus-
tion in oxygen and Precipitation oe solution of
baryta by the carbonic acid evolved, convinced
him that the microscopic crystals were true dia-
monds. This fact is extremely important
to the inhabitants Of the Pacific coast. 1t
is probably known to all the gentlemen present
that diamonds have been found in several locali-
ties in California.
The new discovery confirms the opinion of eX-
perts who have held that diamonds might be
found in paying quantities in our State. ! have
brought some of this plantinum sand for the in
spection of the society. have myself long since
observed these crystals under the microscope
without suspecting their nature.
Platinum, with iridium and associated metals,
is found in considerable quantities in Trinity
county. At Hayfork, a considerable stream in
that county, all the gold found is more or less
mixed with the PLATINUM metals much so
that dealers deduct two dollars per ounce from
the price paid elsewhere for gold dust. AT
Nortbfork, Trinity river, platinum is found in
less quantities, but in larger pieces. One was
once offered for sale in Marysville which weighed
over two and a-half ounces troy.
Although platinum is found in the river beds
and on the banks of the streams, yet in the So
called " hill claims, about half mile from the
river, no trace of that metal has been found In
lower Trinity, near its junction with the Kam-
ath, platinum abounds in very fine particles
and it is with this finely divided platinum that
Professor WObler discovered diamonds.
The metal is so abundant that the miners have
the utmost difficulty in separating it from the
gold. The particles are so extremely fine that
they can hardly be distinguished from the black
sand which accompanies the gold. Heretofore
no effort has been made to place the platinum in
the market, except the sending to San Francisco
of one hundred ounces or more, year or two
ago. 1t could probably be sent to Europe to ad-
vantage. In Salmon river it is also found. In
fact, it is common in the beds of the streams in
Siskiyou, Trinity, Klamath and Del Norte
counties. The altitude OF Trinity is about 3, 500
feet. No search has ever been made for precious S
stones in this region that am aware of, except
by Mr.. Norcross, who claims to have found ru-
bies and opals.
Miners are not generally familiar with the APP
pearance of diamonds in the rough state and
would most likely mistake them, if found, for
chalcedony or some similar mineral If in crys-
tai form, it would be to them IA crystal only-in-
teresting for the moment, to be soon thrown
aside as useless. have heard of a case where
beautiful crystal, supposed to be diamond,
being found in some placer mine in California,
was put to the following test; 1t placed on
an anvil and struck heavy blow with sledge
hammer, il being assumed that the diamond be-
ing the hardest OF known substances, could not
he broken. 1t is, perhaps, unnecessary TO say
that the character Of the crystal still remains un-
known.-SaH francisco AHa.