Skey. — On the Production of Artificial Chromes. 359 



monide of silver and free gold. The telluride is irregularly 

 disseminated throughout the stone in the massive state and 

 also in fine granules. In colour it is steel-grey, with metallic 

 lustre, and it is readily crushed. It is always accompanied 

 by magnetite in fine grains, and sometimes by ilmenite. 



Anticipating that it would be found in other portions of 

 the district, I have examined a large number of the richer 

 portions of the lodes, with the result of finding it in com- 

 bination with the silver in the Crown, Woodstock (Maria 

 Eeef), and Ivanhoe Mines, at Karangahape ; in the Champion 

 and Lord Nelson Mines, at Te Aroha ; and as a trace only in 

 the Eosemont Mine, at Waihi. That this metal is present in 

 much larger quantities than is generally anticipated I feel 

 convinced, and when proper examination of the ores is made 

 before treatment we shall find a great deal more consideration 

 given to the presence of tellurium than has liitherto been the 

 case. Experience already gained elsewhere has shown this 

 metal to be very inimical to the sa\-ing of gold or silver com- 

 bined with it ; and, as I have found it present in some of the 

 Crown ore to the extent of 4-18 per cent, it \d\\ be seen that 

 it is a factor which will require to be considered when an 

 economical and satisfactory mode of saving the riches of our 

 lodes is adopted. 



Art. XLV. — On tlie Preparation of Artificial Chromes for 



Ornamental Purposes. 



By William Skey, Analyst to the Geological Survey Depart- 

 ment. 



\Eead before the Wellington PJdlosophical Society, 22nd Augtist, 1SS8.'] 



The great beauty of some of our native mineral chromes has 

 no doubt incited others besides myself to attempt their 

 imitation, but, so far as I know, no process for accomplishing 

 this has yet been discovered. 



In 1870 I found that in the case of chalcopyrite a very 

 beautiful iridescence vras induced upon it, in parts, by making 

 it the negative end of an electric batter}' ; '•' but there was not 

 that thoroughness or certainty in the process necessary to give 

 it an economic value. However, I still kept in my mind the 

 idea of imitating nature, and at different times made experi- 

 ments with that object, but until quite recently my efforts 

 have not been attended with much success. 



It is well known that the fine play of colours displayed 



' "Trans. N.Z. Inst.," vol. iii., p. 223. 



