66 QUEENSLAND GEMS 
Yellow Sapphire is sometimes known as the oriental 
topaz. Other varieties of sapphires are also occasionally 
known as oriental jargoon, and oriental hyacinth. 
Rev. C. W. King writes—‘‘ Episcopal rings were 
usually set with sapphires, probably from a popular 
belief that this precious stone had the power of cooling 
love, owing perhaps to the coldness of its touch, due to 
its density.”” The real symbolic reason was the heavenly- 
ble colour, which denoted celestial purity. 
Corundum (Rusy ).—The true ruby has been found 
in this State at Anakie, Stanthorpe, and near Herbecton ; 
colors have been good, but stones not Jarge; however, 
quite sufficient indication that the genuine gems are there. 
The true pigeon’s-blood ruby is at present. the most. 
valuable of gems, and it is to be hoped that miners and 
others will miss no opportunities of discovering them. 
Like all corundum, they are six-sided pyramidal crystals, 
and, owing to their beautiful bright pink color, cannot well 
be mistaken. When last in London the writer was shewn 
a flawed ruby of 43 carats, valued at £250. The merchant 
stated that if free of flaws, £1,000 could be easily obtained 
for it. 
At present Burma is practically the only source of the 
true ruby, those of Siam being far inferior in color. 
Though even these surpass those of Montana. 
Every assistance and inducement should be given 
to our miners to persevere in their search for this gem, 
as the discovery of fair-sized stones of good color will 
probably do more towards the development of gem-stone 
mining within the State than the finding of large stones 
of any other gem. 
Zircon.—Composition: Zirconia, 67%; silica, 33%. 
Hardness, about 7.5. 
CrystaJline system, Tetragonal. 
Color ranges from pure limpidity, like the 
diamond, through all yellows, browns 
and reds. 
Different varieties are known as jargoons, hyacinths, 
jacinths, cinnamon stones, etc. 
