﻿NO. 7 



SMITHSONIAN EXPLORATIONS, I926 



27 



a contemporaneous development] in the art of cutting as well. Agates, 

 amethysts, and topazes from Brazil, kunzite from California or 

 Madagascar, beryls including aquamarines, golden beryls and mor- 

 ganite from Madagascar and America, peridot from Oriental 

 sources ; amazon stone and rose quartz from America, are among 

 the many varieties. 



Fig. 32. — Grinding facets on gem stone. 



Aside from the facetted forms, beads, pendants, etc.. used in 

 jewelry, a variety of ornamental bowls, trays, vases, paper knives, 

 some of which are very beautiful, are cut from the agates, rose 

 quartz, lapislazuli and other of the so-called semi-precious stones, 

 many of which find their way into musetuns and mineral collections 

 where they are highly prized. A visit to the little local museum is 

 needed to convey a full idea of the variety and beauty of the work 

 now carried on behind the walls of the unimpressive buildings with 



