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impossible to tell whnt sort of gems they will produce, and consequent- 

 ly only about twenty-live per cent of the cut stones may be considered 

 fair samples. This therefore raises the price of manufacture one hun- 

 dred per cent. Neither does it follow, that the few selected stones are 

 equal in value, as one, through richness of colour, transparency, &c., 

 may realize more than ten of the others. This system of valuation will 

 serve to illustrate the low prices ot certain gems in the market ; and 

 those who are in the habit of buying these grades of stones, and at the 

 same time are unaware that the low prices, are caused by the sale of a few 

 called No. i at fancy prices, should understand that the price of pro. 

 duction of each stone is olten greatly in excess of the prices paid by 

 them for this class of gems. 



In mentioning the word Oriental, many persons, I presume, would 

 infer that it signifies gems from the east. Many authors, however, apply 

 this appelation to the Corundum species, such as Blue Sapphire, 

 (Oriental Sapphire,) Gret n Sapphire, (Oriental Emerald,) Yellow Sap- 

 phire, (Oriental Topoz,) Red Sapphire, (Oriental Ruby.) &c., and others 

 apply the word Oriental to the Emeralds from Peru, which are neither 

 Corundum species, nor yet from the east, and as the word Oriental as 

 applied to certain gems, is somewhat ambiguous, it should not be con- 

 sidered in purchasing a g'm, except from very reliable dealers. 



As to our crude material being of no value, this must depend 

 entirely on the collector, who should be the best judge of the requisite 

 material available. Now, as some of our local stones are sold by the 

 carat on account of their scarcity, you will understand why the eironeous 

 idea, that they may be obtained by the ton, should be pointed out. I 

 can assure you we have not yet arrived at that stage when we can build 

 our houses of Tourmaline, Mounstone or Quartz Asteria. 



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