PRATT.] 
CORUNDUM OEMS. 
45 
upon good authority that work will be begun again in the coming 
At the Mincey mine, Ellijay Creek, ruby corundum has been found 
from which several small stones could be cut. This occurs at the 
same Locality as the bronze corundum, described below. 
Another Locality that is worthy <>!' mention, and one that gives some 
promise of making a sal isfactory showing in course of development, is 
the so-called gem mineon the property of Dr. C. Grimshawe, of Mont- 
vale, Jackson County, N. C. Rubies of good color, from which a 
number of fine bill very small stones have been cut, have been found 
in the gravels of the stream. Blue and yellow corundum of gem 
quality is associated with the rubies. By following tip the gravels the 
corundum was located in a small vein in the decomposed peridotite. 
At the Cullakeenee mine. Buck Creek, and near Elf, on Shooting 
Creek, (May County, X. C, masses of 
emerald to grass-green amphibolite are 
found, through which are disseminated 
particles of pink and ruby corundum, 
ranging in size from that of a pea to 
some as large as hickorj nuts. The 
corundum is not of gem quality, but 
the combination of the green amphi- 
bolite and pink corundum makes very 
beautiful specimens, and if the rock is 
hard enough to admit of a good polish, 
this occurrence might furnish a decora- 
tive or ornamental stone of some value. 
At the Mincey mine, on Ellijay Creek, 
Macon County, and about _.' miles 
northeast of Corundum Hill, there oc- 
curs a peculiar brown or bronze corun- 
dum, known locally as "pearl corun- 
dum," which shows distinct asterism, both by natural and artificial 
light, when the stone is cut en cabochon. In natural light these 
corundums all show a bronze luster and are somewhat similar to the 
cat's-eye, but in artificial light the star is more distinct. Most of the 
bronze corundum is in rough crystals, but some have been found that 
have the prismatic faces smooth and well developed, and these are 
often dark, almost black, in color. 
Asterism has been noticed in man} 7 of the rubies and sapphires from 
Cowee Valley and in a few of the sapphires from the Montana deposits. 
This asterism, according to Von Lasaulx, is sometimes produced by 
rifts due to the basal parting. These rifts, when examined with the 
microscope, are seen to be very thin, sharp, and rectilinear, and are 
parallel to the edge of the prism onto base. 
In other cases asterism is undoubtedly due to the rutile or other 
'. ( lorundum crystal, showing <-<m- 
•entric hexagons on l>asal plane. 
