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this instance the top of the stone is genuine and the under part glass, 

 joined together neatly by transparent cement, or in other cases the top 

 may be Sapphire and the bottom a less expensive gem, such as the 

 Garnet. In these cases, when set, they are difficult to detect, and often 

 deceive the most experienced. Doublets are sold by the Cingalese to 

 Europeans, and even plain blue glass is cut into facets, and sent there 

 from Birmingham and Paris, and palmed off for the real stones. 



In throwing out these hints I am convinced that to no jeweller in 

 this city can these prove prejudicial, but on the contrary, as the public 

 are enabled to test for themselves the truth of statements made to 

 them, so also are they able to appreciate the genuine gems. We must 

 not forget to mention the coloured glass, or " pastes " as they are 

 usually termed, which are made to do duty for all the different gems, 

 and which vary in brilliancy according to their mode of production. 

 Some are merely moulded and their angles sharpened on the wheel of 

 the Lapidary ] others are cut direct from blocks of crystal glass, which 

 are sometimes very brilliant, termed " Rhine Stones," etc. You will, 

 perhaps, say, how are we to know a real gem from the artificial, we 

 cannot submit it to the chemist, who must break it up before he can 

 pronounce on its nature : it is true he can take its specific gravity, but 

 in this he may fail to idtntiiy the mineral after all. Dr. Feutchwanger 

 says he took the specific gravity of an artificial Topaz and found it tully 

 corresponded with the Brazilian Topaz. He, however, found that by 

 employing the simple breath test he was enabled to pronounce on its 

 true character. If an artificial and a real gem be breathed upon at the 

 same time, it will be found that the genuine will become clear much 

 sooner than the false. Having drawn your attention to the dangers of 

 a gem I will now pass on to Nature's store-house where the original or 

 crude minerals lie hidden, ready to be fashioned into the coveted jewel. 



We shall first of all consider such minerals as constitute, when cut, 

 gems (proper). 



Sapphire. — In the Geology cf Canada is mentioned the occurrence 

 of light rose-red Ruby and blue Sapphire m grains, on lot two of the 

 ninth range of Burgess. I should imagine, however, that the quantity 

 is not very considerable, as I examined the rocks myself on two 

 different occasions without finding a trace. 



