268 THE CAROLINA MOUNTAINS 
they are equal to the Burmah ruby, and if the per- 
centage of the unfiawed, transparent material in- 
creases but little, this new field for the ruby would 
be a well-matched rival to the Burmah fields." 
This is very pleasant, the only thing lacking to 
make perfect the fascination of these flower-graced 
mountains being the discovery that the rocks be- 
neath are graced with Burmah rubies. Burmah, it is 
true, has not yet yielded up her sceptre to the proud 
corundum rocks of the New World, for years of un- 
fulfilled hopes have passed since that report was 
made. But one is comforted by the reflection of how 
short a time it is since any efforts have been made 
systematically to explore these rocks. 
Although the field of sapphire gems is so extensive, 
it must not be supposed that in the course of millen- 
niums the crystal flowers of these mountains have 
blossomed in corundum alone. If the ruby has re- 
mained but a dazzling hope, another source of gem 
stones has yielded a treasure which is not only very 
beautiful, but is abundant enough and occurs in 
large enough stones to make mining for it profitable. 
It is also peculiar to this region, an original product 
of the North Carolina mountains, which from some 
points of view is better even than duplicating a 
Burmah ruby. This new gem is found also in Cowee 
Creek and near the ruby deposits. It is a peculiar 
form of garnet and its name is rhodolite. It is re- 
markable for its transparency and great brilliancy, 
the color shining out with peculiar brightness in arti- 
ficial light. If you ask how it differs from the true 
