78 Report on the Exhibition of Oems. 



I have seen here has been either blackish or greenish, whereas 

 this is a fine clear deep yellow. 



I avail myself of this opport'onity to thank Mr. Falk, 

 jeweller, of Beech worth, for the information he afforded me 

 when there, and for his unsolicited kindness in sending us a 

 few most valuable exhibits of Colonial gems. The rough 

 crystal of diamond in my collection, mounted as a ring stone, 

 was his. While conversing with him, and examining some 

 specimens of noble opal the property of a digger — and which 

 I much regi'et I could not obtain for the exhibition — a digger 

 gave me the exceedingly fine fire opal which I exhibited as 

 a ring stone, together with the piece cut off and kept as a 

 specimen. 



Mr. Spink's contribution of specimens and samples of his 

 own cutting was very interesting, in both points of view. It 

 was extensive, especially in agates, jaspers, malachite, and 

 topaz. It was the largest and finest known specimen of 

 colonial green sapphire, but it was in uncut. 



While speaking of Mr. Spink's exhibits, I may with 

 propriety say a few words specially concerning gems. 

 Mineralogists love crystals ; and hardly on any account can 

 they be induced to cut and polish them. Now may I be 

 allowed to say that I too love crystals ; but my object is not the 

 mere crystal, but the cut and poHshedcr^^stal ; to ascertain what 

 it is worth as a wrought gem ; what it may ultimately bring 

 as a price in the market. My object, then, is first scientific, 

 certainly ; but secondly, interesting in a pecuniary point of 

 view. The miner, whom we have to look to as our collector, 

 cares little about the replacement of the angles of the 

 gem stone, but a good deal about what it will fetch when 

 sold in a fair market. Moreover, it must be remembered 

 that there is not the shadow of a chance of mining being 

 carried on for the sole or chief purpose of discovering gem 

 stones ; they must continue to be accidental discoveries, or 

 holiday amusements ; but still, a deal may be done in these 

 ways, and by childi-en, when we can once make them under- 

 stand what cei-tain rough-looking things can be converted 

 into by the beautiful art of which Mr. Spink is a master. 



Before concluding this report, I must claim your patience 

 while I invite attention to' a few considerations which 

 naturally arise out of what I have ah-eady brought under 

 your notice concerning the gem treasures of this our adopted 

 country. The long Hst of gems and precious stones already 

 discovered and brought together in this hall suggests some 



