The Calumet news., 1912-07-16
MORE PRECIOUS
GEMS ARE MINED
Output in United States In 1911
Reached $343,692

American mines in 1911 Welded S2.-
100 worth of diamonds. $4,000 worth
of emerads. s2l5,319 worth Of sap
phires, and $i4.751 worth OF turquoise
according to figures just compiled By
the United states Geological Survey
The total output of precious stones ~
the United States last year was
valued at $S43G92; the production in
1910 was valued at 1886. $50.
An important feature Of the gem
mining industry i'm the United states
during 1911 was the result of pros
pecting at the Turner emerald mine
near Shelby. =. G. The quaiity of
some Of the gems and the value of the
gem material found in this deposit
with small amount of development
work are promising, for the output
included gems equal n quality to the
average run of the eInerdlds from
South America. During the last three
years this one locality i'm North Caro-
lima has yielded gems worth $4,000.
Much interest has lately been aroused
in the moss agates found in Montana,
some of which are remarkable foi
| their resemblance 10 landscapes. BY
taking advantage of the arrangement
of the dark seams and dendritic
patches. patterns are obtained thai
resemble moss, sea growth, ferns
rushes, trees, and landscapes WITH
water and islands The cut gems coL-
sst of stones suitable icr use in
brooches, stick pins, watch fobs, belt
| buckles. and other ornaments. The
gems cut from the Montana moss agate
or mocha stone command good prices,
bringing anywhere from 81 TO $200 OF
| SSOG apiece. Some of the smaller
stones suitable for stick pins, if the
mossy on fcrnlike patterns are par
ticularly delicate and beautiful brins
| S25 each.
American Diamonds.
Most of American diamonds come
| from Arkansas and California. al
though accounts have appeared H.
newspapers of the discovery of these
gems in Illinois and Texas, The most
NdIl iilN VI Ai' NNsAA III ~ hsAiinfis
was an S% carat white diamond-the
largest diamond so far found in the
State. Another white diamond. OF
. i-c A carats was also found.
The largest emerald so far dis
covered in North Carolina measured
about inch by half an inch. 1t was
about half of a crystal split parallel
with the length. This piece has been
cut into about 20 gems, the larges:
| of which weighs about 3 cdrats. THIS
stone has been described as having
an excellent decpgrcen color and as
being particularly beautiful at night
| # has almost no visible flaws but is
slightly foggy in strong daylight.
Considerable business i'm gems J.,
| done among. tourists along the coast
of California and oregon. the beach
pebbles having peculiar textures. odd
markings, and pleasing cOlors. Some
of these stones have been described IN
terms suggested by characteristic fea
lures such as 'enychthyol." Hover
stone" wire agate fish egg" and
| Japanese stone" one company In
Avalon. Cal, has been engaged in cut
ting these stones for several years
The stone is obtained in all sizes. ron
cobbles over inches thick TO snlal
| pebbles. but good gem material is ro
| plentiful. Beach pebbles afe-ColleCtej
and cut for the tourist trade along
the coast of Oregon. as i'm southeI !.
! California. The tourists also collect
these pebbles to carry off as souvenirs
either polished or in the rough.