177 



of hundreds of cut stones of tlie synthetic type has shown that rarely 

 if ever is one cut in accordance with tliis rule. Hence tlie fine deep 

 color of the best specimens, of natural ruby, for example, is almost never 

 equalled in the synthetic stones. By roughing out a ruby to nearly its 

 finished form myself and then having a skilled lapidary facet it I have 

 obtained a cut stone which I believe to be as deep and pure in color as 

 the best of the natural stones. The synthetic stones of conunerce seem to 



-Flq HR UeLLouj^QPphire 

 VieLL>eaor> top 



be cut as the boules break, and I find by opening boules myself that they 

 nearly always break in such a direction that to cut the finished stone as 

 it should be cut would waste two-thirds of the material ; that is, a much 

 greater spread in the finished stone may be had by cutting it as it breaks 

 rather than by cutting it as it should be cut to obtain the best color. 1 

 have tried to guide the break by using the natural edge of a diamond crys- 

 12—33213 



