Mines and Mineral Statistics, 
ii6 
IT. Zii'con — Plentiful, nsuallj hi tlie form of inncli rolled pieces. Generally 
of a brown colour, sometimes red and at others nearly colourless. The small 
and nearly colourless crystals possess a Tcry high lustre, almost equal to that 
of the diamond, so that they might readily, without careful examination, be 
mistaken for that gem. 
III. Quartz — Usually as small, well rolled grains, either colourless, milky, 
or yellowish. Sometimes as hexagonal prisms, capped with tlie hexagonal 
pyramid. Jas])er of Tarious colours, such as red, yellow, grey, also occurs, 
together with black grains of flinty slate, 
IT. liutile — In angular fragments, Still showing traces of crystallization. 
Uistiuguished by its brown colour and metallic lustre, and by the presence of 
numerous fine stria? on the faces of the prigin. It very much resembles tin 
stone in appearance. In composition it consists of titanic acid. 
V. JSrookite also occurs. Tliis is anotlier form of titanic acid. Eutile 
crystallizes in striated tetragonal prisms, whilst this crystallizes in tabular 
forms belonging to the rhontbic system. It is present in small quantity, in 
the form of flat irregular plates, brown or grey in colour. 
VI. Topaz — Present in small rolled and angular fragments, colourless, and 
in pule tints of yellow and greenish blue. The latter coloured topaz is often 
erroneously termed the aquamarine. 
A'lT. Teiyl or Emerald ^ doubtful, but one or two very small fragments 
resembling it, 
A"III. Garnet — Small, rough, common garnets, of no value. 
IX. Tourmaline — A few rounded yncccs, but none showing the crystalline 
form, which is that of a three-sided prism, 
X. Gold — Present in the form of scales. 
Gem Sa>'I> Xo. 2. 
This consists of larger grains tlmn Xo. 1 ; in fact they are small pebbles. 
I. Quartz — Present principally in the form of jasper, of vaidous colours, 
red, brown, green, yellowish, &c., &c. ; also variegated. Colourless and yellow 
quartz pebbles are also found, together with black pebbles of flinty slate. 
IT. Corundum — Present as common corundum, and as the sapphire. 
III. Brooli'ite — Same as gem satid Xo. 1, only in lai’ger pieces. 
IV. Topaz — Clear and colourless ; also tinted, 
Proin the foregoing it will be seen that the Paid Hill gem sands very closely 
re.semble those from Pingera and Mudgee. 
Xone of tlie gems contained in t]ie parcels submitted to me, with the 
exception of tlie diamonds, are of aTiy commercial value, except for grinding 
and polishing purposes. Still, they are of great value as indications, for 
whore such occur there is every prospect of linding others of larger size and 
better quality. 
An examination of the original “ wash dirt’* or “ drift” anight yield 
valuable information, and larger samples of the gem sand will yarobably be 
found to contain such minerals as iridium, titaniferous iron, tin stone, 
magnetite, &c*., like the Pingera gem sand. 
I auay perhaps luentiou that in 18(17 a brilliant of the first water and 
without ilaw, weighing one carat, was worth about £20 ; if w’eighing oaae and 
a hup’ carat, about £45 ; and if two carats, about £'80, and so on ; but since 
that time tlie prices have probably undergone much change. Accordiaig to 
tlie September number of tlie British Trade Circular, the yn’ices ruling for Cape 
diamonds, uncut , are in proportion much lower than the above. 
I I’eturu the diamonds and gem sand per bearer. 
I have the honor to bo, 
Sir, 
Your obedient servant, 
AECIID. LIVPKSIDGE. 
