The Delta independent., 1895-03-06
NEW MExIco's JEWELS.
Great Increase in tho Quantity and Van.
ETY. Of Precious Stones.

New Mexico has taken a long jump
production of precious stones. In the
value Of the output the Territory
probably leads all the Union. The
principal New Mexican yield in this
line Is Of turquOises. Tiffany & Co.
own two large and rich turquoise
mines In the territory, from which
they take much Of their turquoise
stock. Not long ago a member Of the
firm said to a resident of New Mexico
that they considered the New Mexican
equal to the Persian turquoise, and
that as the Persian mines are giving
out, they expect that this territory Will
soon have to supply the main part of
the worlds turquoise trade. And yet
1t was scarcely more than three or four
years ago that experts declared that
Mexico, that only the malachite could
be found here
One stone taken from n Tiffany mine
now owned in New York, is valued AZ
$4,000. Another turquoise mine which
has been opened within the last two
or three years is in the Jirilla Noun
tains, In southeastern New Mexico
about so miles from Las Cruces. 1t Is
owned by firm of manufacturing and
wholesale jewelers.. Only one man Is
employed In the mine, and this lone
worker ships $1,000 worth of turquoise
In the rough every month. Turquoise
from this locality are exceptionally hne
and bring high prices. The worker N
this mine had been throwing aside n
great many of the turQuoises which he
considered off color. They were pale
and full Of brilliant white spots and
specks. caused by an excess of alum
mum.
Last autumn, as an experiment, he
shipped few pounds of these stones.
and they were cut and polished and
sent to Paris. They caught the fash
ionably fancy. brought big prices, and
ever since the miner has been Kept
busy sending the pale stone which he
formerly discarded.
Adjoining this mine Is another claim
owned by n New Mexican company.
They shipped to New York one lot of
turquoise weighing nine pounds in the
matriS, and received for 1t S2,1oo.
Then litigation began over the cl N,
and work on II has been suspended.
Miners who have visited this locality
say that 1t is rich in turquoises, and
that undoubtedly many other mines
could be opened there which would
prove valuable. But to 20 there as
something like visiting the valley OF
the shadow OF death. Las Cruces, 50
miles distant, is the nearest railroad
point. Nearly half that distance is
over a difficult and dangerous noun
tain road two feet deep in sand, which
makes impossible driving or riding I
a faster pace than a slow walk. The
nearest water Is ten miles away. AMI
that is so full of alkali that 1t acts like
poison upon man or beast that drinks
1t. All water used at the mine must
be hauled thlrty-hve miles, and Its
carriage costs SO a barrel
Milk and fire opals have been found
in various parts OF the territory, but
not until two months ago in paying
quantities Then there was discovered
In the Cochiti gold camp. near Santa
stones. Enough were taken out and
dressed to show them TO be Of very
fine quality. But the wet blanket OF
an unsettled Spanish grant lies over
ell that golden region. and until the
United State Supreme court decides
the case the finder Of that opal lead
will be none the richer.
Miners familiar with the character
OF diamond deposits say that the Coch-
i,a region looks amazingly promising.
and that II mine owners do not keep
n sharp lookout-lf the day ever comes
when they can work their mines-they
may throw away undreamed OF treas
ures.
An emerald or two. Of good size and
quality. have been found in New Mex
leo. just enough to warrant the eSpec-
tation OF finding more II anybody were
TO look for them. which nobody has
done. The territory also produces
many fine beryls and any quantity OF
the finest garnets in the world. But
II is as turquoise producer that tho
territory stands pre-eminent.-Las Cru
ces correspondence of the Jewellers
Review.