THE OREGON NATURALIST. 



125 



been found in loose veins in the soil at depths 

 running from the surface down to about 35 feet. 

 The formation surrounding is metamorphic, the 

 immediate^habitat of the gem being in all prob- 

 ability the gneissoid rocUs common throughout 

 the western part of the state. 



Mineralogically this stone is a s; odumene 

 and only differs from the typical mineral in color 

 which is some 'ihade of purple. 



When pure hiddenite is bright grass-green 

 i n color and when cut is indeed a splendid 

 gem. 



If rarity and beauty constitute value in a 

 gem, this should rank with the best for it is 

 rare in the locality where fouod. 



It is reported from Macon county; this state 

 and in a letter from VV. M. Backburn of Pierre, 

 South Dakota, he says a specimen was found 

 in the glacial drift near that place. Other 

 ])roperties adjoining the mines at Hiddenite 

 have furnished good gems, notably the Lyons 

 property and on the plantation of Mr. J. O. 

 I.ockey. 



Quite a list of interesting minerals were 

 found in association, viz: Rutile cf the finest 

 quality, xenotime, tourmaline, emerald, 

 beryl, etc. 



Hiddenite is a gem of the finest rank when 

 cut, but its ready cleavage renders it soniewhat 

 difficult to manage. It will always command 

 fancv prices. Whether further work at the 

 mines or even in the vicinity will reveal a 

 larger output remains of course to be seen. 



Much of the ground has been trenched to 

 considerable depths and pretty thoroughly pro- 

 spected and unless it can be found deeper down 

 one is naturally led to believe that the cream 

 of the deposit has been "skimmed off." 



If water could be iuirodujed as a j^ower to 

 lessen the expense "f mniing handsome profits 

 could be realized, for as it is, in comparison to 

 the yield, the labor is ^rrat; but this can be 

 done with much difiicuiiy and at considerable 

 expense. 



Good specimens of hiddenite and a bervl of 

 of good quality can occasionally be secured but 

 the "finds" few and at long intervals, when 



found and offered for sale it is a matter of some 

 difficulty to get j.03session as the prospectors 

 have in many cases an exaggerated idea of its 

 value and very frequently entrust their speci 

 mens to some disreputable dealer at a distance 

 and realize but a fraction of that offered by 

 home buyers. Cases have come under my own 

 observation where material has been sent out 

 and a return of less than a tifth in real value. 



EMERALD AND BERYL. 



There seems to be a considerable amount of 

 beryl and its varieties in the state and a fair 

 percentage of the product is of real gem quality. 



It is found in some form or other at widely 

 separated ]>o nts and in over a dozen counties. 

 There are at least tour distinct varieties found, 

 viz: Emerald, sea-green, golden and blue. 



The emerald was found at Hiddenite in 

 Alexander county, in magnificent specimens 

 while operations were in progess there for 

 hiddenite in 1884. The crystals found at that 

 point differ from those of other localities and 

 seem to carry their own distinct characteristics. 



The planes, instead of showing the usual 

 polish are pitted and feel rough to the touch. 



The crystals as a general thing are very 

 symmetrical, are solid and of a fine blue-green 

 color, except in the case of the larger crystals 

 the "cores" of which are milky. The gem 

 stuff from here is mostly from small and 

 medium sized crystals. These like the hid- 

 denite are from loose rotten veins in the clay. 

 The small crystals from here are unsurpassed 

 for color and transparency. 



The mica mines of Macon, Mitchell, Yancey 

 aud Madison counties are producing some good 

 material of late in both emerald and aquiv- 

 marine. 



The bright green variety called emerald com- 

 mands the highest prices. But just why this is 

 so is hard to tell, unless the popular fancy is 

 controlled by a craze for that which is old and 

 well established. While it commands the 

 highest price it is certainly not the most beauti- 

 ful. The bright, clear, golden colored crystals 

 found sparingly in the South Mountains in 

 Burke and McDowell counties are certainly 



