Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1904-03-19

diaspore, sapphire spar, etc. However,
the most of those consulted pronounced
the stone, new to their experience ana
probably entirely new.
Fred M. Sickler, while engaged at
sugar factory, made an analysis OF the
stone and found it to be composed OF
alumnia. silica and lithium. He also
made tests for specific gravity and
hardness. The results of the investiga-
ton of the Messrs. Siclller showed that
the stone was entirely new, and while
the general appearance of the stone, Its
hardness and specific gravity approach
ed tourmaline, it differed in system OF
crvstallization, in which it most nearly
resembled spodumene. However, the
description of the pink spodumene OF
Branchville did not satisfactorily des-
cribe the specimens under investiga-
ton.
While the Messrs. Seeker were en-
deavoring to classify the new stone as
to the exact position in the lithia min
erals, letter was received from DR..
Kunz asking for information concerning
the occurrence of gems in the southwest.
In reply DIR. Kunz was referred to
Tiffany & Co., who had some of the
new gem material under examination.
DR.. Kunz positively Identified the same
as new, and as spodumene. He was
the first authority to do so, and for this
Identification he deserves the credit.
DR.. Kunz begged to be allowed to des-
cribe the mineral, and since the discov-
erers had not the necessary apparatus
for continuing their Investigations, they
granted the request of DR.. Kunz, know
ing that this great expert would inves-
tigate the mineral in a reliable and
scientific manner. Complete data and
specimens of associated minerals were
therefore placed at DR.. Kunz's dis
posal
DR.. Kunz invited DR.. Baskerville to
aid him in investigating the new gem.
They experimental in various ways and
subjected the stone to the action of X
rays and radiurn. The results of their
Investigations showed the lilac spodu-
meme of Pala to possess marvellous OPP
teal and physical properties. DR.. Bas-
kerville, taking into consideration the
eminent reputation of DR.. Kunz as a
scientist and gem expert, together with
his intimate relations with the mineral,
believed the name Kunzite would meet
with popular approval, proposed that
name for the new stone, by which it is
now known. E. S. Dana, the greatest
mineralogists, and the Messrs. Sickler,
discoveries of the stone, have expressed
their satisfaction concerning DR.. Bas-
kerville's selection.
The first sale of uncut gems was
made in February, 1908, to Tiffany &
Co., by Messrs. Sickler. Tiffany & Co.
were first to successfully cut the gem.
A great number Of fine stones were
spoiled by other lapidists, but beautiful
gems are now cut by X. c. Naylor, of
San Deigo, who was the first lapidist in
California to perform this admirable
and skillful feat.
About six months after the stone had
been brought to the attention of DR..
Kunz, the mineral was discovered sim
ultaneously at Pala by Pedro Pelich,
Bernardo Heriart, John Giddens and
Frank Salmons in the Palo Chief mine,
and at Cahuilla by Bert Simmons in the
Fano mine. No other discoveries in
any locality have since been made, and
the stone will soon command, on ac-
count of its beauty and rarity, a value,
1t is said, exceeded only by the dia-
mond. Pacific Coast Miner.