The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-05-11
Artificial Precious Stones.
Philadelphia Press.

Ihttddetphid freSS.
"Is the manufacture of imitation stones
carried on TO any extent in this country"
"Well, there are limitations and limitations
you know. Nearly all the paste comes from
France, as it can be produced much cheaper
there than here. Five-sixths of the paste
sold under various names would not deceive
child. 1t is bought and sold by the quart,
one might almost say, for a mere song, and
looks like just what 1t is-glass, and often
bad glass at that. Now look at this" aud as
he spoke, the dealer held out at arms length
with pair of dlviders what appeared to be
fine two carat brilliant, just a shade OF
color. close inspection showed that the
lower half of the stone was cased in tiny
metal cup. snow no one but an expert can
say whether that is genuine brilliant or
not. As a matter of fact, IL is foiled paste,
and worth in trade less than dollar. The
foil Is placed between the lower part of the
stone and the cap or covering, but when the
work is we'll executed 1t takes an expert 10
detect Its presence. There Is even a more
artful and effective way Of Stimulating the
diamond, but am pleased TO say for the
credit of the trade that the counterfeit is
| rarely made up in this country.
"The doublet, as 1t is called, is made by
| fixing slice of thin diamond, a worthless
cutting from large stone, on the table of a
brilliant with invisible cement. A piece Of
glass is then affixed TO the bottom of the
4 false stone, which is cut fiat, not to point.
| This gives real diamond surface to the top
i of the stone so that the file test will net
touch 1t. These false stones are almost ex-
clusively used for the purpose of defiauding
people, and you will rarely come across one
even In the trade. Emerald, ruby and sap
phire doublets are used freely, and 1t Is al
most impossible for the unpracticed eye to
detect them. Do not misunderstood me,
1 they are not sold as genuine, but as imita-
tions, and very beautiful they are. A garnet
Is used as the top layer, and blue or green
glass is affixed to the bottom of the stone.
Here is a magnificent specimen Of scarce
gen." said the lapidst, taking an oval cut
green stone, with rich russet tinge in it.,
| from a drawer in a private cabinet. The
stone weighed perhaps six carats, aud pos
sessed much brilliancy. aft is called an
| Alexandrte, and is found in Siberia" said
he. This gem is remarkable and valuable
because, while by daylight It is green, as you
see 1t now, by gaslight 1t is a full, rich pur-
pie in color. "Here is q remarkable GEM"
and the lapidist took up a beautifully cut
stone that was yellow on the face and pure
white underneath. "That is specimen Of
the two colored sapphire, and is very rare"
A yellow beyrl, found at Avondale, Pa,
large piece Of chalcedony, holding impri-
soned about gill Of water; piece of quartz
with hornblende in IL; another piece show
ing plainly piece of rutile, and many other
curiosities, Mr.. Beach showed his visitor, and,
but that he was continually being called
away to weigh this stone, value that, or give
an opinion as to the identity of another, be
was courteous and abliging enough to have
shown every stone in his cabinet.