The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1886-12-09
AMERICAN GEMS.
Quality and Value of Precious Stones
Found In the United States.

Found in the United States.
Mr.. George E. Kunz, of this city, is
the author of an admirable monograph
on precious Stones,'' issued by the
Department of the Interior, being an alb
stract from the Report of the United
States Geological Survey in regard to
the Mineral Resources of the United
States In these sixty pages the
student of this most fascinating depart
ment of mineralogy will find in
formation which he could not
possibly gather from other sources
or by any amount of personal
effort. Mr. Kunz is an indefatigable
student and collector, and writes no
line which does not contain some fact
of interest.
Considering the vast extent of our
territory, this country is not remark
able for it's precious stones. In 1884
more than 100000 worth of
diamonds and other precious stones
were imported and entered for con-
sumption in the United States. In
that same year it is roughly estimated
that the value of stones found in the
United States and sold as specimens,
curiosities and to cut into gems, was
considerably less than 100000. But
very small part of this includes stones
| ranked as precious, most of it being
expended for fine specimens varieties
| of quartz, garnets, etc. But our
variety of truly beautiful mineral de-
posts and crystals is rich enough to
awaken the enthusiastic interest of
during glory which is so frail and
evanescent in foliage and flowers.
Diamonds have been found in Vir
ginia, North Carolina, California and
other places, but nowhere in such num-
bers and of such quality as to command
much attention; $500 is said to be the
highest price paid for California dia-
mond in the rough, though large num-
beers have been sold for from $40 to
800 each. Valuable emerald-green
sapphires (oriental emerald) have been
found at Franklin, N. c., and sap
phire gems of other types have been
found in other parts of the State, also
in Pennsylvania, Montana and else
where But all together they could
not be of much value, for the estimated
value of sapphire gems found and sold
in 1888 was $4,000, and in 1884 only
$50.
Still we have some remarkable tales
of gem discoveries relating to our own
neighborhood. Twenty years ago i'm
mense spinel crystals were found near
Monroe, Orange County, N. Y. The
exact locality was known only to two
mineralogists, 'swho worked it for sew
eral years by moonlight for secrecy,
and from 1t took crystals that realized
over $4,000. Since the death of the
former miners the position of this most
wonderful locality has been unknown. "
One of the finest gems ever found in
, America is topaz of 125 carats, from
Platte Mountain, near Pixies Peak
Mr.. Kunz says that topaz crystals from
this locality are equal in quality to
many of the finest of the same size
, from Siberia, and are sold at valua-
ton of from fifty cents to 800 each.
Emeralds are found in New England
and North Carolina, but scarcely any
of gem value. Their near relatives,
the beryls and aqua-marines, are found
} in greater variety of places, and
many Of them are very transparent and
beautiful
Tourmalines abound at Mount Apa.
tito, in Maine. They are found in other
localities in that State, and also in other
, States.
AS to garnets, Mr.. Kunz says thai
''there is undoubtedly no finer garnet
! found that looks better in the evening
than those from the garnet regions O.
: the United States. The dark color il
Cape garnets remains by artificial light
whereas with the American garnets
nothing but the clear blood color il
visible. They are of fine quality, ant
plentiful on the great Colorado pla
1 teau." They are found also in Other
States west of the Rocky Mountains
and in Maine, Pennsylvania, Virginia
5 North Carolina and elsewhere.
We have not space enough to men
ton even few of the great number O
: beautiful quartz minerals and feldspar
which are described by Mr.. Kunz, sucl
as the remarkable amethyst recent,
I J deposited in the N: -ional Museum. 2;
inches long, 2 inc wide, u inches
thick, transparent, fawless and uncut
. IN. Y. Observer.