Gems and Precious Stones of North America; A Popular Description of Their Occurrence, Value, History, Archaeology, and of the Collections in Which They Exist, Also a Chapter on Pearls, and on Remarkable Foreign Gems Owned in the United (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 edition. Excerpt: ...Chlorastrolite. Thomsoniti, Lintonite, Natrolite, and Fluorite. THE curious, cross-like markings of chiastolite (made) have suggested its use for gem purposes. The illustration shows the many markings that may exist in different parts of one crystal, and the variety of ornamental effects that may be produced. It is used for a gem, and sold for that purpose abroad, but there is no demand for it in the United States. Chiastolites are found in Mariposa County, Cal., and at Lancaster and Westford, Mass. William P. Blake first observed this mineral in Mariposa, where, in the drifts of the Chowchilla River, near the old road to Fort Miller, he found crystals in great abundance, showing the black crosses on the white ground in a remarkably perfect manner. They are also found in the stratum of conglomerate which caps the hills above the streams, and they were all doubtless originally in place in the slates a little higher up the river. Smaller and imperfect " macles " are found in the slates on the road to Bear River, at Hornitos, Cal. The Massachusetts localities have yielded many of the best specimens found. Cyanites were found in the early part of the century at Chesterfield, Mass., where some of the finest mineralogical specimens were obtained. An example of these, a mass measuring 10 to 6 inches, and consisting of distinct crystals over 3 inches long, piled one upon the other, is in the British Museum at South Kensington, in London. The crystals are all distinct, of a fine dark-blue color, and would cut into small mineralogical gems. At Darby Creek, Moon's Ferry, Delaware County, Pa., have been found deep azure-blue blades 5 and 6 inches long, which might afford gems if the mineral were thicker. Blue, green, and gray specimens are...