The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-16
The Tourmaline
A National Gen.

The tourmaline. "the flower OF the
mineral Kingdom" has become the fad
1t is a distinctive American gem ami
consequently. aside from its value ana
beauty. arouses the patriotic spirit aud
appeals to the love OF country" scnti-
ment. And fashion has declared IN It's
favor. OF all the precious stones IL
possesses the one mysterious quality NJ
having two or more colors in the game
crystal. and for this one reason IL well
deserves it's growing popularity. IL has
the peculiar property OF poiarizlns
light. ra ,t
Despite the recent discoveries OF fresh
deposits at Mount Mica. Me-. which
yield large numbers (the greatest stores
yet known of exquisite specimens. il
is still comparatively rare, and that
will enhance it's value both coinmercial-
ly and as a social and fashionable fa-
vorite
This Mount Mica is near the town Of
Paris. in the rock ribbed state OF sheep.
lumber and fish. There. on the brow OF
= little hill. one OF the spurs OF the
"streaked mountain" is one OF the most
remarkable mineral deposits on the
globe From an area 80 feet square
rieties OF minerals. some of them OF ex-
treme beauty and rarity. This spot was
discovered as long ago as 1920 by two
students Elijah l.. Hanllin and Ezekiel
jones. while hunting for geological
specimens Subsequent mining by blasts
discovered many cavities which were
literal treasure boxes. being lined with
beautiful crystals OF rainbow hues.
incidentally 1t may be stated that
there is a strong inference that the
magnificent ruby in the Russian crown
is In all probability tourmaline, and
so likewise may be the monster red gem
which hangs as pendant TO the jade
necklace. formerly belonging to the
Chinese emperor, which is now the
property of the French government.
having been captured at the taking OF
Peking In 1860 A magnificent group OF
pink tourmalines was given by the king
OF Burma TO Colonel Sykes while the
latter was commissioner at his court.
Tournalines are also found in Si-
IBERIA. in the Ural mountains. in Cey-
lon ard In Brazil. hut none to compare
with the American crystals which have
been mined in Canada. Massachusetts,
Connecticut. New. Hampshire and
slightly in some OF the northeast coun.
black crystals 6 TO s inches in diameter
occur in feldspar veins In the noun
tains between San Diego and the Colo
RADIO desert. Some OF the crystals are
red at one end and green at the op-
posite, while others have a green ex-
terror and red core. Blue and purple
varieties are occasionally found. Min
eralogists are unable to account for
this eccentricity OF hues. and physicists
are equally puzzled by the strange elec-
trical properties OF the tourmaline. 1t
is natural magnet. with a positive
and negative pole Of attraction and re-
pulsion.
The United States, aside from dia-
monds. seems to be prominent in gem
production. The bulk of the worlds
supply of fine turquoises is now obtain.
ed from New Mexico. where great num-
bers Of large stones equal In quality to
the best OF Persian origin are mined an
nually. They even hold their color bet
ter. The fineet garnets in the world are
also found here. In the vicinity of Mos
COW. Ida. the volcanic rocks are found
honeycombed with cavities, which in
many instances contain precious opals.
The gem material Is supposed to have
been deposited by water when the rocks
tiful ones are found in bed of volcanic
ashes. Large masses OF cinders being
broken open reveal them, and one In 20
is Sire" or noble opal.
The garnets- of New Mexico occur In
loose gravel. which is disintegrated~
rock brought from a distance by the
flow of streams. On the Navajo reser-
walton the Indians collect them from
ant hills and scorpion holes. the insects
and arachnids having brought them to
the surface in digging.
The only possible rival of the tour
maline for the distinction of being call
ed the national gem Of America is the
precious stone hiddenite. This beautl-
full species OF crystal, which sells for
from $40 to 800 a carat, is obtained In
Alexandria county. N. c., the only place
in the world where Ii is found. It's dis
covery was accidental. some specimens
being disclosed when mining for emer-
aids. It's color is a lustrous. transpar-
t.x~-