Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-10-10
THEY CUT PRECIOUS GEMS.
Quaint Berkenfeld, Where There Is
} ut One Occupation.

Quaint Berkenfe1d, Where There Is
ut One Occupation.
Among the hills of the Nahe River,
in the grand duchy of OlL.enburg, Ger
many, is the curious little principality
Of Berkenfeld, with a population Of
about 1900 people. For hundreds Of
years the principal industry Of this out
Of-the-way place has been the cutting
and polishing of precious and half
precious stones. Although an inl-
proved factory system is just beginning
to be introduced into the community,
most of the work is still done in the
same old laborious manner in which
it has been for so many generations.
In the early days there We're agate
quarries in the hillsides of Bcrkenfcld,
and 1t Is, without doubt, due to the cX
istence Of these quarries that the chief
industry Of the principality owes its
origin. But the quarries Of agate have
long since been exhausted, and now to
the hillsides Of the quaint German re-
giOn comes cargoes Of agate, amethyst,
jasper, opal and topaz from far-away
Brazil, lying where the Organ noun
tains lift their heads to the southern
cross beyond strange seas, Of which the
Berkenfelders only dream.
The usual method employed in Ber-
kenfeld In cutting and polishing these
stones Is the following:
In a rude hut by n stream, which fur
nishes the power. four large grind
stones about four feet in diameter nre
so flxed that their axes are only about
one foot above the floor, into which a
slit Is cut, so that part Of the grind
stone is below its level. This lower
portion passes through the water. thus
keeping the stones constantly wet.
The operator has bench or block of
wood about eighteen inches high, hol-
lowed out to receive his chest and body
On this bench he lies at full length, and
with his fingers holds the small piece
Of opal, amethyst or other stone which
Is to be cut against the grlndstone,
slightly above the level Of the floor In
this position the men lie from morn
Ing to night, day after day. Consump-
ton usually carries them OF at an
early age, but other men are found to
follow this vocation, as the earnings
are comparatively high. The operator
usually owns his grlndstone, or at least
half Of one. This represents an invest
ment Of about $500. and q skillful lapi-
lary can earn from $16 to $2S per week.
He does not usually cut and polish
stones on his own account, but gener-
lilly contracts with manufacturing Jew
elers. who furnish him the stones In
the rough. to cut and polish at = certain
price per gem. As the stones. even in
the rough. represent a considerable out
lay Of money. the honesty Of the work
man must be greatly relied upon. for
nobody can sag in advance how many
grams Of finished stones q certain piece
II opal. amethyst or 'he like may yield.
Besides these halt-precious stones,
precious stones sach ~ diamonds. ETC.,
are also cut and poliahsd there. but this
is an entirely different branch Of the
industry. and 10 chiefly carried on In
factories with modern machinsry.
Another branch OF the industry n
these parts 10 the cutting Of ca0seoL
Pearls also are polished, drlned an1
mt and shipped In largo quansitiss 10
al countries. including the Unitea
states.