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Chrome Garnet^ which occurs in large aggregated masses of 

 minute emerald-green riystals in the Township of Orford, has not yet 

 presented specimens large enough for cutting. In the Township of 

 Wakefield, however, this mineral presents more promising ])rospects 

 from a gem point of view. During the past summer preliminary 

 i^reparations were made with a view of developing a property in this 

 township for gem material. 



If crystals of a large size were found, I thmk it doubtful if thev 

 would be cut, as the demand for fine mineralogical specimens of this 

 mineral is very great, and they would realize a greater price than the 

 cut stones, although, if this mineral is perfectly transparent, it would 

 surpass the Emerald in value. 



The largest crystal obtained last summer would be about a quarter 

 of an inch, but translucent, yet some of the smaller ones were perfectly 

 transparent. 



Chrysolite. — This mineral is mentioned in the Geology of Canada 

 as occurring in well-defined yellowish-green crystals in Basalt, in 

 Rougemont. This is the Peridote of jewellers and lapidaries. 



The yellowish grains mentioned in the same work as occurring in 

 the Dolorites of Montarville and Montreal are the Chrysolite proper, 

 although jewellers will persist in confining that name to Chrysoberyl. 



No gems have thus far been cut from either of these varieties. 



Mr. A. r. Low mentions the occurrence of a yellowish-grey opaque 

 variety in rock masses in the Shickshock Mountains, but this is of no 

 value as an ornamental stone. 



(2//rt^'/s.^ Several varieties of this mineral suitable for cutting are 

 found in different parts of Canada, foremost of which is the Quartz 

 Asteiia, found in the neighbourhood of the Gatineau. It occurs as a 

 constituent of a granitic vein, m pieces the size of a pea to that of a 

 pigeon's egg, together with other translucent quartz. The quantity of 

 the gem material to the quartzose mass would not be more than one 

 per cent., and even with the available material much of it is marred by 

 inclusions of web-like markings, which often escape observation until 

 after the stone is cut. This stone is perfectly transparent, and by 

 transmitted or reflected light exhibits a star of six rays. This may also 

 be seen in a first-class stone in ordinary light. V\Qi^^^/ 



L 



LIBRA 



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