The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1901-12-01
RARE MINERALS EXHIBITED
THREE FAMOUS COLLECTIONS
NOW on VIEW IN THIS CITY.
They Are Those Presented by j. Pierpout
Morgan to the Museum OF Natural
H~istory-Beauty and Variety OF Color
OF the Minerals and Gems 1t Ii
the Finest OF Al Collections.

INV eOAh O''e W iiN btlA'l cClAF
of Mr.. j. Pierpont Morgan. has drawn a
crowd TO the Museum Of Natural History
daily since It was placed on view last Tues
day. Most Of these early visitors are
scientists and gem lovers. The general
public will drift along later.
Enthusiasts go through the collection as
Keats went through Homer, "ramping,
and even the more grave and reverend
scientists become explanatory over certain
specimens. As for the women-but IL was
for woman's use that the superlative de-
gree was introduced into grammar.
The beauty and value of the collection
is ample justification for reckless prodi-
gality in the scattering Of adjectives. It
is to-day the finest in existence, finest by
virtue Of the perfection Of it's specimens,
and by its completeness.
II combines the celebrated Bement col
lection and the two remarkable collections
made by George F. Kunz and exhibited by
tiffany 4 Co. at the Paris Expos .ans Of
1850 and 1900.
The Bement collection has for years
been famous among scientists and gem
lovers the world over, and il has always
been supposed that the United States
| Government would eventually obtain the
collection for the National Museum.
Clarence :. Bement of Philadelphia made
| the collection and devoted money, work,
knowledge and the better part Of a lifetime
TO the task. He wanted tho finest private
cabinet in the world, and he got what he
wanted, but the task. though a delightful
| one, was not easy.
The collection numbers $500 specimens,
but that number represents only part OF
| the collection made by Mr.. Bement, and
his friends say that he has a stable packed
with specimens weeded out from his col
lection.
Nothing save the most perfect specimens
at the cost Of great trouble and expense.
a fine specimen, he was still continually
on the outlook for a still finer specimen
of the same mineral or gem II That was
found, the ftrst specimen went to the wall
or to the stable.
This persistent course Of selection ex-
plains the marvellous perfection Of the
crystal formation In most Of the Bement
specimens. To the uninitiated, only the
beauty and color Of the specimen are up
parent. but 10 the scientist and expert the
cle8rness with which the particular crystal
formation Of each mineral Is illustrated
is the most remarkable and satisfactory
thing about the collection.
The installation Of the Bement specimens
has been a long ard tedious task: and,
even now. the last label IL not on, and minor
details are still to be finished. The collec-
ton occupies twenty-five large cases in
Wv A'ik AAlA i"Aa ea' -
according to Dana's System Of Mineral
ogy.'
In the glass display cases. the finest
specimens rest on white cotton in square
shallow boxes whose black rims mark on
the spaces. Under each display case, are
ninety drawers. all full OF smaller speci-
mems.
There are few cut gems or precious
stones in this collection, not more than
twenty trays at the outside-but there IL
hardly a known gem mineral or precious
stone, that. in il natural state, IL not rep
resented by fine and choice specimens.
The case Of diamonds shows uncut dia-
monds in the exact conditions unaer which
they exist In the various great diamond
fields of the world. Among the corun-
dums is what Is said TO he the finest gem
emerald ever found. .
The collection of opals Of every sort and
deecIiution includes a fre-opal Of II.
carats which il considered the most valu-
able ever taken from Mexican mines
The Bcrnent collection is particularly
rich in specimens of the precious stones
and minerals found in the United States.
The tOurinalines represent the pick II
four years product at Haddam Neck, Conn,
the locality most famous for it's tourmalines,
Garnets, %sapphires, emeralds, amethysts.
turquui~es, beryls, jasper, smoky quartz
or Calrugorrn. Herkimer crystals. agates.
topaze-, all the well-known precious
stones are shown In perfection; and IN
addition there are a host OF stones who's.
I Ia |lltN hI' llllhiillllnf 10 Anf RfilfIaA PUBLIC,
though their beauty deserves notoriety
fluorite in all its cUlore, green, yellow,
amethyst. and the rare red, fills one case
Wonderful green mala chite cllngs like
velvety moss 10 gleaming deep blue
aZurte.
4 small section is bright with the rare
prou~tit" OF ruby silver Blue variscite
rivals ia. turquoise
Wulfcnite. yellow and fame and brown.
fills "A car4 with hquii FIRE Tn" 1aooite
NItglt Nj Har.aFr f4tU1llergA the nam -
his collection T. like the wulfcuit", a tit
81 imprisoned flame, and the crystals IN
tha~' specimens an. far and away the
largest ever found
on" ue,si know nothing ~ science 10
enjoy the tw"nty-hvr oates II specimens
4 love - color will insure une a. much
iyy a. Would "a know L. tse = crystalline
fprmstl"ur and. sh-n IA" sunlight cp--ps
M thrpugh th. WIudpN and iug"rs uH tho
southern .a-t. tlr vondrr- ~ The sIssl.
meme u i"uoh'- arr enough 90 make an
iupr--IuuIrt artist mai with luy
Even ordinary Sulphur g. glprh~i into
crNrtallID-t runshin" The oas~ - thpdo-
orY-lir b. q Jt-'u boo ~ -slIluu ptna and
ri,,r ant falnt su-u. end Iur' i-'yuud
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b. ifr usu 'auIrr fHf lhr fsHls aud 20 o.,
oil t,HY vel far tLr ult gentleman hanging
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