Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-28
IMPORTATION OF GEMS.
Precious Stones Worth $25,000,0oc
Brought to This Country in 1902.

Washington, July N-The total value
Of precious stones imported into the
United States In 1902 was S25, 4l2.176, be-
Ing $3.50, o09 I'm excess Of the value OF
germs imported in the previous year.
The total production Of precious stones
In the United States in the same year
was s31s, 300 an compared with $283,o5G
in 1901 and 1891 in 1900. These fig
ures and many interesting facts re-
gardng the production and trade in
precious stones are set forth In Il re-
port on that subject just prepared by
the Geological Survey. The report
contains, In addition to much that is
of great economic value to the precious
stones industry. many interesting and
curious statements Of "A more general
nature. The statement liz made, for
example that the largest pile of dia-
monds ever brought together was col
lected at the De Beers Mine in South
Africa. In July. 1900. The directors OF
the company were DESTROYS OF knowing
the quantity OF diamonds necessary to
nj a measure of rs cubic inches. Dia-
mohds Of all kinds were piled up Just
an they had been mined, and 1t was as
certained that a cubic metre OF dia-
monds weighs Il,976,000 cnrats and has
an approximate value OF 1897 100000
francs, or S75.65O. 900.
The peculiar business methods OF
Oriental merchants are illustrated by
the manner OF buying rubies In Burma.
In the examination OF rubies artificial
light IN not used, The merchants hold
Ing that full sunlight alone can bring
out the color and brilliancy of the
gems. Sales must therefore take place
between the hours OF and 3. ana the
sky must be clear. The purchaser,
placed near n window, has before him
a large copper plate. The sellers come
TO him one by one, and each emptieS
upon this plate his little bag of rubies.
The purchaser proceeds to arrange
| them for valuation In n number OF
small heaps The first division Is into
three grades, according to size; each
OF these groups IL again divided into
three piles, according to color; ana
each OF these piles. In turn, Is again
! divided into three groups. according 10
size. There are thus twenty-seven
grades In all. In addition to the larger
stones that are set aside for valuation
and sale singly. The bright copper
plate has n curious use: The sunlight
reflected from 1t through the stones
brings out a color effect with true
rubles different from that with RED
spineis and tourmalines. which are thus
easily separated. The buyer and seller
thct, 10 through n peculiar method OF
bargaining by signs. or rather grips, III
| perfect silence. After agreeing on tint
fairness Of the classifications. they JON
their right hands. covered with hand
kerchief or the flap OF garment, ant
by prasps and pressures. mutually UNI
derstood among all these dealers, the,
make. modify. and accept proposals o.
purchase and sale. The hands ar
then uncovered. and the prices are re
corded.
The large single stones nrc valued nc
cording to color and shape for cutting
tKc very fine ones bringing high prices
A ruby OF 3ets carats from the Mogoi
Mine some years ago brought 5000
rurces ($30, O00) at Calcutta.