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+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #60070 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60070)
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-The Project Gutenberg EBook of Texas Gemstones, by Elbert A. King, Jr.
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
-other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
-whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
-the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
-www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
-to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
-
-Title: Texas Gemstones
-
-Author: Elbert A. King, Jr.
-
-Release Date: August 6, 2019 [EBook #60070]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: UTF-8
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TEXAS GEMSTONES ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed
-Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- BUREAU OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY
- The University of Texas at Austin
- Austin, Texas 78712
-
- JOHN T. LONSDALE, _Director_
-
-
- Report of Investigations—No. 42
-
-
-
-
- Texas Gemstones
-
-
- By
- Elbert A. King, Jr.
-
- February 1961
-
- _Second Printing—February 1963
- Third Printing—September 1972
- Fourth Printing—March 1983
- Fifth Printing—August 1991_
-
-
-
-
- Contents
-
-
- Page
- Introduction 5
- Properties of gemstones 5
- Crystals 7
- Cutting and polishing of gemstones 10
- Cabochon gems 10
- Faceted gems 13
- Tumbled gems 17
- Texas gemstones 18
- Amber 18
- Augite 18
- Beryl 18
- Celestite 19
- Diamond 19
- Epidote 19
- Fluorite 20
- Fossil wood 20
- Gadolinite 21
- Garnet 22
- Jet 22
- Labradorite 23
- Microcline 23
- Obsidian 24
- Opal 24
- Pearl 24
- Quartz 25
- Crystalline varieties 25
- Amethyst 25
- Citrine 25
- Rock crystal 26
- Rose quartz 26
- Smoky quartz 26
- Cryptocrystalline varieties 27
- Chalcedony 27
- Agate 27
- Agatized wood 27
- Carnelian 27
- Jasper 27
- Sanidine 28
- Spinel 28
- Tektite (bediasite) 28
- Topaz 29
- Tourmaline 30
- Turquoise 31
- Glossary 32
- Selected references 34
- Index 41
-
-
-
-
- Illustrations
-
-
- Figures— Page
- 1. Typical crystal form of three common Texas gemstones 9
- 2. Variations of the cabochon cut 10
- 3. Diamond saw 11
- 4. Cabochon properly attached to dop-stick 12
- 5. Cabochons at various stages of cutting and polishing 12
- 6. Nomenclature of the standard American brilliant cut 13
- 7. Facet table 14
- 8. Grinding the table facet on a rough stone 15
- 9. Stone dopped to table facet 15
- 10. Preformed stone dopped to table facet 16
- 11. Proper sequence of cutting of the pavilion facets 16
- 12. Proper placing of pavilion girdle facets 17
- 13. Proper sequence of cutting of crown facets 17
- 14. Common crystal form of Travis County celestite 19
- 15. Common crystal form of fluorite 20
- 16. Crystal faces on microcline specimen shown in Plate III 23
- 17. Common crystal form of spinel 28
- 18. Crystal faces on topaz crystal shown in Plate V 29
- 19. Cross section through irregularly colored stone 30
- 20. Common crystal form of Llano County tourmaline 31
-
-
- Plates— Page
- I. A, Gem-quality celestite crystals from Travis County. B,
- Opalized wood from the Texas Gulf Coastal Plain 35
- II. A, Gem-quality garnet crystals and faceted gem from Gillespie
- County. B, Labradorite from Brewster County 36
- III. A, Pink microcline crystal. B, Smoky quartz. Both from Burnet
- County 37
- IV. Polished agate from gravels of the Rio Grande near Zapata,
- Zapata County 38
- V. A, Texas tektites (bediasites). B, Topaz crystal from a
- pegmatite dike near Streeter, Mason County 39
- VI. A, Topaz from stream gravels near Streeter, Mason County. B,
- Tourmaline crystals in schist from Llano County 40
-
-
- Table 1. Properties of some common Texas gem minerals 8
-
-
-
-
- Texas Gemstones
-
-
- ELBERT A. KING, JR.
-
-
-
-
- INTRODUCTION
-
-
-Throughout history man has sought stones and minerals for personal
-adornment and ornamentation. Stones and minerals that are sufficiently
-beautiful, durable, and rare are known as gemstones. A gemstone with
-only one of these qualities is less desirable than one with all three.
-For example, a stone with rich color but not sufficiently durable to
-withstand daily wear in rings finds little favor as a gemstone except in
-brooches or pins where the stone is relatively safe from abrasion.
-Likewise, a stone that is beautiful and durable may be of little
-interest as a gemstone because it is commonly found in great quantities.
-To be valued highly, gemstones must be beautiful to the eye, durable
-enough to withstand wear, and rare enough so that they are not easily
-obtained.
-
-
-
-
- Properties of Gemstones
-
-
-The beauty of gemstones is mostly dependent on their color, diaphaneity,
-brilliancy, luster, and fire. Any one or a combination of these
-properties render stones desirable as gems.
-
-Color is very important in many gemstones. The color of transparent
-varieties should be distinct enough to be pleasing to the eye, yet not
-so dark as to appear black or opaque. It is generally more desirable
-that the gemstone be of even color and not appear “patchy” or
-“streaked.” However, some opaque or translucent stones such as agate owe
-their popularity chiefly to the variety of colors and designs within a
-single piece. Some transparent gemstones exhibit different colors when
-viewed in different directions. For example, some fine blood-red rubies
-appear brownish when viewed in a particular direction. The gemstone
-should be cut so that its finest color is most prominently displayed.
-This ability of some gemstones to exhibit different colors when viewed
-in different directions is called pleochroism.
-
-Diaphaneity is the relative ability of stones to transmit light.
-Diaphaneity is described by terms such as transparent, translucent, and
-opaque. Transparency is highly desirable in stones such as diamond that
-are commonly facet-cut to reflect light. The gemstone should be water
-clear and free from inclusions and cracks so that it transmits light
-freely, but there are stones that do not exhibit this property that are
-prized as gemstones. For example, turquoise may appear to be completely
-opaque and not transmit any light, but it is sought for its fine blue
-color.
-
-The brilliancy of gemstones is largely dependent on their index of
-refraction. The index of refraction is a measure of the ability of a cut
-gemstone to “bend” light rays and reflect them from the bottom facets
-back through the top of the stone. Of course, brilliancy is not noted in
-opaque or faintly translucent stones. The index of refraction of
-gemstones is expressed numerically. Air is the reference medium and is
-assigned an index of refraction of 1.00. Other substances are assigned
-values relative to that of air, for example, water, 1.33; topaz, 1.62;
-diamond, 2.42. The higher the index of refraction, the more brilliant
-will be the gemstone if it is properly cut and polished.
-
-Luster is the appearance of the mineral on a fresh surface in reflected
-light; it is divided into two major categories, metallic and
-non-metallic. Most gemstones have non-metallic luster and are described
-by terms such as vitreous or glassy, resinous, waxy, greasy, and pearly.
-
-The fire, or ability of gemstones to show flashes of different colors of
-light, is dependent upon a property called dispersion. The amount of
-dispersion is the extent to which the gemstone is able to separate
-ordinary white light into its component colors. The dispersion of
-gemstones can also be expressed numerically but for purposes of this
-publication will be referred to as low, moderate, or high. Diamond is a
-common gemstone that has high dispersion.
-
-A gemstone’s durability is primarily dependent upon its hardness. The
-Mohs scale of hardness, given below, is most commonly used for gemstones
-and other minerals.
-
- _Mohs Scale of Hardness_
- 1. Talc
- 2. Gypsum
- 3. Calcite
- 4. Fluorite
- 5. Apatite
- 6. Orthoclase feldspar
- 7. Quartz
- 8. Topaz
- 9. Corundum
- 10. Diamond
-
-On this scale, the higher numbers are the harder minerals. Mohs is a
-relative, not an absolute scale. Therefore, it should not be assumed
-that diamond is ten times harder than talc because actually diamond is
-very many tens of times harder than talc. However, a particular mineral
-is harder than any other mineral with a lesser number, and the scale is
-very convenient to use. Gemstones mounted in rings should have a
-hardness of at least seven on the Mohs scale, or the stones may become
-scuffed and scratched after a relatively short period of wear. Gemstones
-mounted in pins and brooches can be of softer material as they are not
-usually subjected to abrasion and rough treatment.
-
-The tendency of some minerals to split with relative ease in particular
-directions along planes is called cleavage. Cleavage is also a factor
-determining the durability of gemstones. Some gemstones do not exhibit
-this tendency at all, whereas others cleave in several directions. The
-number of cleavages is always the same in any one mineral, and the
-direction of cleavages is constant in relation to the crystal structure
-of any one mineral or gemstone. It is apparent that of stones having the
-same hardness, the ones lacking cleavage or having the lesser number of
-good cleavage directions are the most durable.
-
-Some stones, such as jade and agate, owe their durability to their
-compact fibrous structure, which makes them very tough and durable even
-though they are not especially hard.
-
-Several other properties of gemstones, although not always contributing
-to the beauty or desirability of gemstones, are useful in identifying
-uncut specimens.
-
-Streak is the color of the mineral when finely powdered or, for softer
-minerals, the color obtained by rubbing the mineral against a piece of
-unglazed porcelain or tile. The color of a mineral’s streak is commonly
-different from the unpowdered specimen.
-
-Fracture is the kind of surface obtained when the mineral is broken in a
-direction that is not a cleavage direction. Fracture surfaces are
-described by such terms as conchoidal (like the fracture of glass),
-subconchoidal, splintery, even, and uneven.
-
-Tenacity is the resistance of a mineral to breakage. Brittle minerals
-break relatively easily on impact. Malleable minerals, such as gold, may
-be flattened under a hammer into very thin sheets without breaking.
-Sectile minerals may be cut with a knife without powdering. Most
-gemstones, even diamond, are brittle.
-
-It is only natural to value most those gemstones that are not common or
-easy to obtain. Emerald owes its longstanding popularity to its fine
-green color, but tourmaline is sometimes found in colors that very
-closely approach that of emerald and yet sells for considerably less
-because it is so much more common.
-
-Rarity is not the only factor affecting the value of gemstones. Freedom
-from internal imperfections, quality of cutting, color, and size must
-also be considered in cut and polished gemstones. Internal
-imperfections, such as inclusions and cracks, detract from the
-appearance of gemstones and interfere with the passage of light between
-the facets; consequently, gemstones containing these imperfections are
-not valued as highly as those without them. Poor cutting or polishing
-detract from the beauty and thus from the value of gemstones. Unpopular
-or poor color commonly causes gemstones to be less valuable. Rich green
-emeralds are exceedingly prized, whereas very pale green emeralds are
-relatively inexpensive. Diamonds that have the least hint of yellow are
-never valued as highly as pure colorless, pink, or blue stones. Few
-persons find the yellowish color attractive, unless it is a vivid canary
-yellow.
-
-Size is important in determining the value of gemstones but not as
-important as perfection. A badly flawed gemstone of large size may be
-worth only a slight fraction of the value of a smaller perfect one.
-Gemstone size is usually measured in carats, a unit of weight, although
-millimeter size is sometimes used. Five carats is equal to 1 gram and
-approximately 28⅓ grams is equal to 1 ounce avoirdupois. One
-one-hundredth (0.01) of a carat is called a point, and this term is
-often used, especially pertaining to very small gemstones.
-
-The term used to compare the relative weights of minerals and gemstones
-is specific gravity, which is expressed numerically in relation to
-water. Water is assigned the value of 1.00. Therefore, at a given
-temperature a gemstone having a specific gravity of 2.00 is twice as
-heavy as an equal volume of water. A 1-carat sapphire (specific gravity
-about 4.00) will be smaller than a 1-carat amethyst (specific gravity
-about 2.65) because the heavier material will occupy less volume to have
-the same weight.
-
-A summary of properties helpful in identification of common Texas gem
-minerals is given in Table 1.
-
-Comparatively recently in the history of gemstones, man has succeeded in
-the production of synthetic gems that have properties closely
-approaching those of many natural gemstones. To the untrained eye some
-synthetic gems may appear identical to natural stones, but synthetic
-gems can be detected with little difficulty by a properly equipped
-expert. Although most synthetic gems are inexpensive, their manufacture
-has not adversely affected the value of natural gemstones but instead
-has increased the demand for fine natural gems.
-
-
-
-
- Crystals
-
-
-Gemstones that have an orderly internal molecular arrangement are
-referred to as crystalline. This internal order is commonly reflected in
-the external shape of “rough” or uncut gemstones. The resultant shape is
-a polyhedral solid bounded by planes and called a crystal. Well-formed
-crystals are formed in nature only under relatively ideal conditions of
-temperature, pressure, and space. The specific temperatures and
-pressures involved vary with different minerals, but most crystals need
-space in which to form so that their “growth” is not impaired by
-surrounding rocks and minerals. However, some minerals, such as garnet
-and tourmaline, can grow in metamorphic rocks by recrystallization of
-minerals in the metamorphic rocks. The size of crystals varies from
-microscopic to tens of feet. Any one mineral usually has one or two
-typical crystal forms or arrangements of plane surfaces that aid greatly
-in the identification of the mineral when it occurs in good crystals
-(fig. 1). Frequently gemstones are found as abraded stream-rolled
-pebbles, fragments, or masses that do not show crystal form. Crystals of
-the same mineral from different locations commonly show somewhat
-different crystal forms owing to slight differences in composition or
-conditions of formation. Mineralogists and crystallographers classify
-crystals by the symmetry that they exhibit. The crystal systems are (1)
-isometric or cubic, (2) tetragonal, (3) hexagonal, (4) orthorhombic, (5)
-monoclinic, and (6) triclinic. A complete description of the
-classification of crystals can be found in almost any mineralogy text
-(see Selected References, p. 34).
-
- Table 1. Properties of some common Texas gem minerals.
- MINERAL COMPOSITION HARDNESS SPECIFIC INDEX OF COMMON
- GRAVITY REFRACTION COLORS IN
- TEXAS
-
- Amber fossil resin 2.0-2.5 1.05-1.10 about 1.54 brown, yellow
- Augite CaMgSi₂O₆ 5.0-6.0 3.2-3.6 1.60-1.71 greenish
- brown, black
- Beryl Be₃Al₂(SiO)₆ 7.5-8.0 2.63-2.80 1.56-1.60 pale blue,
- colorless,
- greenish
- Celestite SrSO₄ 3.0-3.5 3.95-3.98 1.62-1.63 colorless,
- blue
- Epidote HCa₂(Al, 6.0-7.0 3.25-3.50 1.72-1.77 yellowish
- Fe)₃Si₃O₁₃ green,
- brownish
- green
- Fluorite CaF₂ 4.0 3.0-3.25 1.434 colorless,
- violet,
- yellow, green
- Garnet Fe₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ about 7.5 4.25 about 1.83 red, deep
- (Almandite) red,
- brownish red
- Labradorite NaAlSi₃O₈ 50% to 6.0-6.5 about 2.6 about 1.56 yellowish,
- 30% CaAlSi₃O₈ 50% grayish
- to 70%
- Microcline KAlSi₃O₈ 6.0-6.5 2.54-2.57 1.52-1.53 pink, red,
- bluish,
- greenish,
- white
- Obsidian volcanic glass 5.0-5.5 2.3-2.5 1.45-1.53 dark gray,
- black,
- brownish
- Opal SiO₂·nH₂O 5.5-6.5 1.9-2.3 1.43 white, pink,
- bluish,
- brown, gray
- Quartz SiO₂ 7.0 2.65-2.66 1.544-1.553 colorless,
- (Crystalline) violet,
- yellow, brown
- Tektite natural glass 5-6 2.33-2.44 1.48-1.52 dark brown,
- (Bediasite) greenish
- brown
- Topaz Al₂(F·OH)₂SiO₄ 8.0 3.4-3.6 1.60-1.63 colorless,
- bluish, sky
- blue
- Tourmaline H₉Al₃(B·OH)₂Si₄O₁₉ 7.0-7.5 2.98-3.20 1.62-1.64 black, dark
- brown
-
-Some gemstones, such as opal and obsidian, never occur as crystals owing
-to a lack of internal structural order. Such gemstones are termed
-amorphous, or without form. Amorphous gemstones mostly occur in nature
-as irregular lumps or masses, cavity fillings, or veins.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 1. Typical crystal form of three common Texas
- gemstones.]
-
- GARNET
- TOURMALINE
- QUARTZ
-
-
-
-
- CUTTING AND POLISHING OF GEMSTONES
-
-
-There are two types of widely used gemstone cuts. Opaque or figured
-gemstones are usually cut with a rounded upper surface and a flat or
-rounded back. A stone cut in this fashion is termed a cabochon or is
-said to be cabochon cut. There are several variations of this mode of
-cutting (fig. 2). Precious opal, agate, jade, star sapphire, and fossil
-wood are some of the stones that are cut mostly as cabochons.
-Transparent gemstones are usually cut with many plane polished surfaces.
-Such stones are called faceted, and the process of cutting and polishing
-these stones is called faceting. Emerald, diamond, topaz, and garnet are
-examples of gemstones that are commonly seen as faceted stones.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 2. Variations of the cabochon cut. Left to right:
- double cabochon; flat cabochon; simple cabochon; hollow cabochon.]
-
-The cutting of gemstones, although sometimes tedious and time consuming,
-is not especially difficult or complex. However, like most arts and
-crafts, technique and ability should improve with practice and
-experience. There are currently many amateur gem cutters in Texas. A
-complete set of equipment necessary to cut cabochon stones may be
-purchased for as little as $50.00 or $60.00. Most amateur cabochon
-cutters have equipment that cost less than $100.00 which enables them to
-do very fine work on many gem materials. Facet cutting requires more
-precise equipment, and a complete array of such usually costs more than
-$100.00, although less expensive equipment can be obtained. The
-beginning gem cutter or lapidary who is willing to assemble and make
-some of his own equipment can reduce his initial expenses considerably.
-
-
-
-
- Cabochon Gems
-
-
-The procedures listed herein for gem cutting do not apply to all
-gemstones. Stones that are especially brittle, soft, or difficult to
-polish require additional procedures or special techniques. Many
-lapidaries may deviate from these procedures. Some of the steps of
-cutting and polishing are merely matters of personal opinion and vary
-somewhat from cutter to cutter. There are several detailed texts on the
-art of gem cutting; the descriptions herein are designed to give the
-reader only a general idea of the procedures and techniques involved.
-
-The cutting and polishing of cabochons require several steps. The
-initial step is sawing. Assuming that the rough gem material is large
-enough to be sawed (larger than about half an inch in diameter), it is
-clamped into the carriage of a diamond saw (fig. 3) and cut into slices
-about ⅜-inch thick. The blade of the saw is mild steel that has been
-impregnated with diamond dust around the edge, hence the name diamond
-saw. The blade is rotated rapidly, and the material to be cut is “fed”
-to the blade by a sliding carriage on which the gem material is clamped.
-The extreme hardness of the diamond dust in the edge of the blade
-enables the saw to cut through several inches of gem material in a few
-minutes. The lower portion of the saw blade is immersed in a mixture of
-kerosene and oil, and the rotating saw blade carries with it some of the
-kerosene-oil mixture; this acts as a coolant and lubricant for both the
-saw blade and the material being cut. Without this lubricant, the heat
-generated by sawing would shatter most gem materials and also damage the
-saw blade. As this “slicing” or sawing of the material usually takes
-several minutes, a weight and pulley are generally used to give the gem
-material the necessary pressure against the saw blade. When cut through,
-the “slab” of gem material falls into the kerosene-oil mixture at the
-bottom of the saw or onto a special platform that cushions its fall.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 3. Diamond saw.]
-
- Motor
- Clamp
- Diamond-charged blade
- Carriage
- Stone
- Weight
-
-After being sawed, the slab of gem material is examined, and the
-location and size of the stones to be cut from the slab are determined.
-The desired outline of the shape of the gem to be cut is marked on the
-slab with a pointed piece of aluminum rod; ordinary pencil marks are not
-used because they wear away too quickly in the cutting process. Once the
-area from which the gem is to be cut has been selected and the outline
-of the gemstone has been marked on the slab, the excess material is
-trimmed away by a smaller diamond saw known as a trim-saw. In some slabs
-the excess material can be broken and “nibbled” away with a strong pair
-of pliers.
-
-The remaining portion of the stone is usually held by hand and ground to
-the desired shape using the previously scribed mark as a guide. This is
-done using a relatively coarse-grained (about 150 grit) specially made
-carborundum grinding wheel.
-
-Now that the desired outline has been obtained, the stone is firmly
-affixed to a slender wooden or hollow aluminum dop-stick (fig. 4). The
-process whereby the stone is attached to the dop-stick with a specially
-compounded jeweler’s wax is called dopping. The dop-wax is heated over
-an alcohol lamp or candle flame until it is soft and pliable and is then
-spread around on the end of the dop-stick and formed into a mass about
-the right size and shape to fit the back of the gemstone. The stone is
-likewise heated, and the wax is applied to the back of the stone while
-both wax and stone are hot. Upon cooling, the wax firmly fixes the stone
-to the dop-stick. The dop-stick allows the lapidary to have firm control
-of the stone during all later stages of cutting and polishing.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 4. Cabochon properly attached to dop-stick.]
-
- CABOCHON
- DOP-WAX
- DOP-STICK
-
-The top of the dopped gemstone is worked against the coarse carborundum
-grinding wheel until it is a rough approximation of the desired shape.
-The stone is then worked against a much finer-grained (about 220 grit)
-grinding wheel to remove the irregularities left by the coarse grinding
-and to further smooth and shape the surface of the gemstone. At all
-times while grinding, a small flow of water should be directed on the
-grinding wheel to keep the stone cool. Grinding on the stone for even a
-few minutes without cooling may result in the shattering of the gemstone
-because of heat created by friction of the stone against the grinding
-wheel. If the lapidary keeps the surface of the grinding wheel wet,
-there is little chance of damaging most gem materials.
-
-The next phase of cabochon cutting and polishing is sanding. The
-gemstone is worked against two sanding drums of different grit size.
-This sanding can be done with the sandpaper surface either wet or dry,
-as needed or as preferred by the lapidary. However, great care should be
-exercised during sanding so that the stone is not overheated.
-Overheating can easily occur whether the sandpaper is used wet or dry.
-As in grinding, sanding is first done on coarser grit paper (about 300
-grit) and last on finer paper (about 600 grit). It is in the sanding
-process that the first hint of polish is noted on the surface of the
-stone. After sanding, the gemstone should have perfect form with no
-surface irregularities, a very finely textured surface, and only very
-minor scratches left from sanding. The gemstone is now ready to be
-polished.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 5. Cabochons at various stages of cutting and
- polishing. Left to right: trimmed from slab: ground to outline; after
- rough grinding; after sanding; polished.]
-
-At this point the procedure depends on the nature of the gemstone being
-polished. Most gem materials are worked against a buffing wheel that is
-impregnated or saturated with a mixture of some polishing compound and
-water. A soft felt buffing wheel with cerium oxide as the polishing
-agent is used for many materials. The mixture of cerium oxide and water
-is usually applied to the buffing wheel with a small brush. The lapidary
-should once more be careful not to overheat the stone. If the stone
-becomes too hot to hold to the underside of the cutter’s wrist, it
-should be permitted to cool for a few seconds before continuing. After
-polishing on the buffing wheel, the gemstone should have a fine, high
-polish and be free of any scratches or surface irregularities. The
-finished gemstone is removed from the dop-stick by heating the dop-wax
-and pulling the stone loose. Any excess wax that hardens again before it
-can be removed from the stone by hand can be dissolved away by rubbing
-with an acetone-soaked cloth. Figure 5 illustrates the desired
-appearance of the gemstone at the end of each of the steps of cutting
-and polishing.
-
-
-
-
- Faceted Gems
-
-
-The principles involved in faceting are about the same as those in the
-cutting of cabochons, but the equipment and technique are considerably
-different. The equipment required for the facet cutting of gemstones is
-built into or attached to a small specially constructed table (fig. 7),
-and the unit is commonly called a facet table. Most faceted gemstones
-are cut to obtain the largest flawless stone possible from the rough
-material. Therefore, one of the first and most important steps for the
-lapidary is to decide how the stone is to be cut from the rough crystal
-or pebble. The colors that can be obtained from the gemstone must also
-be considered, and the cutting of the stone oriented so that its best
-color is displayed. The lapidary also selects the orientation of the
-stone in relation to the cleavage or cleavages. It is difficult or
-impossible to polish facets of gemstones that are cut parallel to a good
-cleavage direction.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 6. Nomenclature of the standard American brilliant
- cut.]
-
- TOP VIEW
- SIDE VIEW
- Star facet
- Crown main facet
- Crown girdle facet
- Pavilion girdle facet
- Pavilion main facet
- TABLE
- CROWN GIRDLE
- PAVILION
- CULET
- BOTTOM VIEW
-
-Once the orientation of the gemstone to be cut from the rough material
-has been determined, the stone is dopped onto a special metal dop-stick
-that fits into the chuck of the facet head. The chuck is tightened so
-that the position of the stone on the end of the arm of the facet head
-is firmly fixed, and the facet head is adjusted so that the first facet
-that is cut is the horizontal, top facet of the stone or table facet
-(fig. 6). The table facet is cut by grinding the gemstone on a flat
-cutting lap that is diamond impregnated (fig. 8). By minor adjustments
-of the facet head, the lapidary can precisely control the location of
-the table facet. As soon as the table facet has been ground to the
-proper size, the cutting lap is removed from the lap plate, and the
-polishing lap is secured in place. Many different kinds of polishing
-laps and polishing compounds may be used depending on the properties of
-the material being polished. However, one lap and one polishing compound
-are usually sufficient for each gem variety. After the polishing lap is
-secured to the lap plate, the lapidary adjusts the facet head so that
-the stone is in exactly the same position relative to the lap that it
-was during the cutting of the table facet. The polishing lap is run wet
-or damp with water, as is the cutting lap, and small amounts of the
-polishing compound are applied to the surface of the lap while the facet
-is being polished. The minor scratches left by the cutting process are
-gradually removed, and a fine lustrous polish develops on the facet. It
-is especially important to take care in achieving a perfect polish on
-the table facet, as this facet occupies a large area of the crown of the
-gemstone. When the cutting and polishing of the table facet are
-completed, the gemstone is still rough or uncut in all portions except
-for this single, large, polished surface.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 7. Facet table.]
-
- Water
- Light
- Adjusting ring
- Post
- Arm
- Chuck
- Stone
- Abrasives
- DIAMOND DUST
- CALCIUM OXIDE
- LANDE-A
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 8. Grinding the table facet on a rough stone.]
-
- CHUCK
- DOP-STICK
- DOP-WAX
- STONE
- LAP
-
-The gemstone is then removed from the dop-stick by melting the dop-wax
-and is dopped once more so that the plane of the polished table facet is
-perpendicular to the axis of the chuck and arm of the facet head (fig.
-9). Great care should be taken by the lapidary to insure that the table
-of the stone is exactly perpendicular to this axis, or the proper
-placing of the later facets on the stone may become very difficult.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 9. Stone dopped to table facet.]
-
- TABLE FACET
- DOP-WAX
- STONE
- DOP-STICK
-
-Once the stone has been properly dopped to the table facet, the lapidary
-is ready to proceed with the cutting of the outline of the stone. If it
-is to be a brilliant cut, the stone is ground perfectly round in
-outline; if it is to be an emerald or step cut, it is shaped so that it
-is square or rectangular in outline. This process is called preforming.
-The arm of the facet head is lowered on the post until it is horizontal,
-and the stone is worked against the cutting lap until the desired shape
-is obtained. When the preforming process is completed, the stone should
-have the desired outline of the finished gem (fig. 10).
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 10. Preformed stone dopped to table facet.]
-
- DOP-WAX
- STONE
- DOP-STICK
-
-The lapidary is now ready to proceed with the cutting of the pavilion of
-the stone. The arm of the facet head is raised to the proper angle for
-cutting the main pavilion facets. The angle at which the main facets are
-cut is very critical in determining the beauty of the finished stone.
-The required angle at which these facets must be cut varies with the
-refractive indices of the different varieties of gem minerals. If the
-facets are not cut at exactly the proper angle, light entering the top
-or crown of the gemstone can pass completely through the stone, instead
-of being reflected back out of the crown facets. The result is a dull,
-lifeless stone that appears to have a “hole” or “fish-eye” in the
-center. Stones that are cut in this manner are greatly reduced in value.
-The angle at which the facets are cut is controlled by the adjustment of
-the height of the arm of the facet head on the post. The lapidary will
-continually adjust this height, because the angle between the arm and
-the surface of the lap changes slightly as the facet is ground down to
-its proper place and size.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 11. Proper sequence of cutting of the pavilion
-facets. Left to right: four main facets; all eight main facets; half of
- the pavilion girdle facets; completed pavilion.]
-
-The standard American brilliant cut will be used as an example of facet
-cutting. Procedure for all other cuts is essentially the same to this
-point. After the eight main pavilion facets have been cut, the cutting
-angle is changed a few degrees, the arm of the facet head rotated
-slightly, and the sixteen pavilion girdle facets or “skill” facets, as
-they are often called, are cut (fig. 11). The pavilion girdle facets
-should meet exactly in the center of the main facets at the girdle of
-the stone. The pavilion girdle facets should neither overlap, nor should
-there be any space between them (fig. 12). After the pavilion girdle
-facets are cut, the cutting of the pavilion of the gemstone is
-completed. The facets are then polished on the polishing lap at the same
-angles and in the same order as they were cut, and the pavilion of the
-gem is completely finished.
-
-The stone is then removed from the dop-stick by melting the dop-wax and
-is re-dopped to the pavilion facets so that the crown of the stone is
-now exposed for cutting. Before the lapidary proceeds with the cutting
-of the crown, it is necessary that the stone be perfectly centered on
-the dop-stick and that the plane of the table facet be perpendicular to
-the dop-stick and to the axis of the arm of the facet head. The eight
-main facets are cut first, with numerous adjustments being made by the
-lapidary to insure that the proper angle is maintained (fig. 13). Then
-the cutting angle is changed a few degrees, the arm of the facet head
-rotated slightly, and the crown girdle facets are cut. The crown girdle
-facets are placed very similarly to the pavilion girdle facets except
-that they are shorter. The crown girdle facets should be joined in
-exactly the same way as the pavilion girdle facets. When these facets
-are properly cut, the cutting angle is again changed, the arm rotated,
-and the eight star facets are cut. This completes the cutting of the
-crown of the stone. The cutting lap is removed from the lap plate, and
-the polishing lap is secured into place. The facets are carefully
-polished in the same order that they were cut. After the last star facet
-has been polished, the stone is removed from the dop-stick. Any excess
-dop-wax is removed from the stone by means of a solvent, and the full
-beauty of the finished gem is revealed.
-
-
-
-
- Tumbled Gems
-
-
-One other method of finishing gemstones that deserves mention is
-tumbling. “Baroque” or “free-form” stones are produced in this manner.
-Loose pebbles or pieces of gem materials left over from other cutting
-processes are placed in a small barrel or specially constructed box with
-loose carborundum grit. The barrel is turned by means of a small motor,
-and the abrasion of the pebbles and grit against each other tends to
-round the pebbles and give them a finely pitted surface. Progressively
-finer and finer carborundum grit is used, and eventually a polishing
-compound. The result is several pounds of well-polished gem pebbles of
-various shapes and sizes. These baroque stones have found recent favor
-in costume jewelry of modern design. The tumbling process is rather
-slow, commonly requiring several days or weeks. However, little effort
-is involved on the part of the lapidary, and, consequently, the cost of
-most tumbled or baroque stones is quite modest. Only gem material that
-is unsuitable for cutting in other manners should be finished in this
-way.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 12. Proper placing of the pavilion girdle facets.
- Left: facets not joined. Center: facets overlapped, joined too high.
- Right: correct placing.]
-
- Stone
- Dop-wax
- Dop-stick
- Chuck
-
-[Illustration: Fig. 13. Proper sequence of cutting of the crown facets.
- Left to right: four main facets; all eight main facets; half of the
- crown girdle facets; completed crown.]
-
-
-
-
- TEXAS GEMSTONES
-
-
-
-
- Amber
-
-
- _Composition_: fossil resin. _Crystal system_: amorphous. _Hardness_:
- about 2.0 to 2.5. _Specific gravity_: variable, from 1.05 to 1.10.
- _Luster_: resinous. _Color_: brown, yellow, red, orange, and white.
- _Streak_: white to yellowish to gray. _Cleavage_: none. _Fracture_:
- conchoidal. _Tenacity_: brittle. _Diaphaneity_: transparent to
- translucent. _Refractive index_: variable, about 1.54. Burns with a
- sweet, piney odor.
-
-Rich brown to yellowish amber has been found near Eagle Pass, Maverick
-County, in Cretaceous coal and on Terlingua Creek, Brewster County.
-Although much of this material is translucent and the quality suitable
-for lapidary purposes, the pieces are seldom more than a fraction of an
-inch in diameter.
-
-Occasional finds of poor quality brownish amber have been reported from
-the Tertiary formations of the Gulf Coastal Plain, but thus far no gem
-quality material has been found.
-
-The softness of amber limits its use to brooches, necklaces, and other
-jewelry that is relatively safe from abrasion.
-
-
-
-
- Augite
-
-
- _Composition_: CaMgSi₂O₄; may also contain iron, aluminum, and
- sometimes titanium. _Crystal system_: monoclinic. _Hardness_: 5 to 6.
- _Specific gravity_: 3.2 to 3.6. _Luster_: vitreous to dull. _Color_:
- dark greenish brown and greenish black. _Streak_: light grayish green.
- _Cleavage_: two directions, poor. _Fracture_: conchoidal to uneven.
- _Tenacity_: brittle. _Diaphaneity_: opaque to translucent. _Refractive
- index_: variable, about 1.60 to 1.71.
-
-Augite of gem quality occurs near Eagle Flat, Hudspeth County, Texas.
-Although this material is very dark greenish brown and not commonly
-thought of as a gemstone, lapidaries have used it to fashion black
-faceted stones and cabochons that resemble obsidian. Most of the augite
-occurs as loose pieces and crystal fragments that have weathered out of
-nearby igneous rocks; the augite can also be found in situ in the
-igneous rocks.
-
-Specimens and pieces of cutting quality 1 inch in diameter are common,
-and fragments over 2 inches in diameter have been found. The augite is
-associated with black spinel and some dark gray to black pieces of
-natural glass. Although the faceted and cabochon-cut stones are not
-particularly attractive, some of the larger pieces of augite might be
-utilized for carving.
-
-
-
-
- Beryl
-
-
- _Composition_: Be₃Al₂(SiO)₆. _Crystal system_: hexagonal. _Hardness_:
- 7.5 to 8.0. _Specific gravity_: 2.63 to 2.80. _Luster_: vitreous.
- _Color_: pale blue, blue, green, yellow, brownish, pink, and
- colorless. _Streak_: white. _Cleavage_: one direction, very imperfect.
- _Fracture_: conchoidal to uneven. _Tenacity_: brittle. _Diaphaneity_:
- transparent to subtranslucent. _Refractive index_: 1.56 to 1.60.
- _Dispersion_: low.
-
-Gem-quality beryl has not been reported in Texas. A discussion of beryl
-is included herein because the writer believes it likely that beryl of
-gem quality will be found in Texas as a result of future investigations
-and exploration.
-
-Beryl crystals have been found in pegmatite dikes in Llano, Blanco, and
-Gillespie counties. These crystals are commonly several inches long and
-exceed 1 inch in diameter but are very badly fractured. Most of the
-beryl crystals do not approach gem quality and are entirely unsuitable
-for any lapidary use. The color of the crystals found thus far is
-bluish, greenish, pinkish brown, yellowish, and colorless. Some very
-tiny colorless beryl crystals have been found that are transparent, but
-thus far such crystals have been too small to be cut into gems.
-
-Fine blue beryl crystals have been found in the Franklin Mountains near
-El Paso, Texas. Unfortunately, these crystals are so badly flawed and
-fractured that they are not suitable for lapidary use.
-
-It seems likely that careful prospecting of Texas pegmatites will reveal
-at least some gem-quality beryl.
-
-
-
-
- Celestite
-
-
- _Composition_: SrSO₄. _Crystal system_: orthorhombic. _Hardness_: 3.0
- to 3.5. _Specific gravity_: 3.95 to 3.98. _Luster_: vitreous. _Color_:
- white, blue, greenish, reddish, and brownish. _Streak_: white.
- _Cleavage_: three directions, although one of these directions is not
- easily developed. _Fracture_: uneven. _Tenacity_: brittle.
- _Diaphaneity_: transparent to subtranslucent. _Refractive index_: 1.62
- to 1.63. _Dispersion_: moderate.
-
-Celestite is very seldom cut into gems. Being very soft, brittle, and
-having three cleavages, celestite is completely unsuitable for jewelry.
-These same properties make this mineral exceedingly difficult to facet;
-however, faceted stones are seen in large collections.
-
-[Illustration: Fig. 14. Common crystal form of Travis County celestite.
- Same crystal form as shown in Plate I, A.]
-
-Fine crystals of colorless and blue gem-quality celestite (Pl. I, A, and
-fig. 14) have been found at Mount Bonnell and other localities west of
-Austin, Travis County. The celestite crystals occur in vugs or geodes in
-limestone. The crystals are mostly white or colorless and fractured near
-the base or where attached, but the tips of the crystals are commonly
-clear celestine blue and completely free of flaws.
-
-Crystals several inches in length have been found, but the average size
-is about 1 inch. The smaller crystals are frequently more transparent
-and consequently better suited for cutting. It is very difficult to
-obtain crystals that will allow the cutting of flawless stones of more
-than 4 or 5 carats.
-
-Bluish and colorless celestite of gem quality and fine crystals have
-been found near Lampasas, Lampasas County, and near Brownwood, Brown
-County, but neither of these localities has been very productive of good
-gem material.
-
-Celestite geodes have been found in parts of Coke, Fisher, and Nolan
-counties, but these geodes contain little gem material.
-
-
-
-
- Diamond
-
-
- _Composition_: carbon. _Crystal system_: isometric. _Hardness_: 10.
- _Specific gravity_: 3.51 to 3.53. _Luster_: adamantine to greasy.
- _Color_: brown, colorless, pink, blue, yellow, and various other light
- colors; rarely deeply colored; sometimes black. _Cleavage_: four
- directions, octahedral, perfect. _Fracture_: conchoidal. _Tenacity_:
- brittle. _Diaphaneity_: transparent to opaque. _Refractive index_:
- 2.42. _Dispersion_: high.
-
-There is only one well-authenticated find of diamond in Texas. A small
-brownish diamond was found in 1911 on section 64, block 44, Foard County
-(Sterrett, 1912, pp. 1040-1041). The exact weight of the stone has not
-been recorded, but one authority estimated that it was of sufficient
-size and clarity to yield a cut stone of about one-quarter carat.
-
-The only diamond-bearing rocks known in the United States are in Pike
-County, Arkansas. Although many other diamonds have been found in the
-United States, all were loose in gravels or streams except for some
-stones at the Arkansas locality. The fact that one diamond was found in
-Foard County does not mean that the prospects of finding more diamonds
-in Texas are much better there than anywhere else in the State. It is
-highly unlikely that more than a very few diamonds will ever be found in
-Texas, and any stones that may be found in the future are likely to be
-widely scattered.
-
-
-
-
- Epidote
-
-
- _Composition_: HCa₂(Al, Fe)₂Si₃O₁₃. _Crystal system_: monoclinic.
- _Hardness_: 6 to 7. _Specific gravity_: 3.25 to 3.5. _Luster_:
- vitreous. _Color_: yellowish green to brownish green and brown.
- _Streak_: uncolored to grayish. _Cleavage_: two directions.
- _Fracture_: uneven. _Tenacity_: brittle. _Diaphaneity_: transparent to
- opaque. _Refractive index_: about 1.72 to 1.77.
-
-Llano County has furnished some green and brownish-green epidote that is
-suitable for cutting into cabochons. Most of the material that
-approaches gem quality has come from contact metamorphic zones and is
-associated with garnet, quartz, and some scheelite. Some small cavities
-in the rocks contain tiny transparent crystals of gem quality, but the
-largest obtainable flawless faceted stones would probably be less than
-15 points.
-
-Faceted stones of epidote are sometimes known as pistacite owing to
-their common pistachio-green color.
-
-
-
-
- Fluorite
-
-
- _Composition_: CaF₂. _Crystal system_: isometric. _Hardness_: 4.
- _Specific gravity_: 3.0 to 3.25. _Luster_: vitreous. _Color_: violet,
- blue, colorless, green, yellow, brown, rose, and crimson red.
- _Streak_: white. _Cleavage_: four directions, octahedral, perfect.
- _Fracture_: subconchoidal to splintery. _Tenacity_: brittle.
- _Diaphaneity_: transparent to subtranslucent. _Refractive index_:
- 1.434.
-
-Very fine green, transparent fluorite has been found near Voca, Mason
-County. The fluorite occurs as vug fillings in pegmatites, associated
-with crystals of pink microcline and colorless quartz. Most of the vugs
-have been completely filled by the fluorite; therefore, crystals (fig.
-15) of the fluorite are not too common. Masses of fluorite several
-pounds in weight, rich green, and quite transparent have been found near
-Voca. Transparent pieces an inch or more in diameter are common.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 15. Common crystal form of fluorite.]
-
-Fluorite is much too soft for everyday use in jewelry and because of the
-low refractive index does not yield brilliant faceted stones. The
-perfect four-directional cleavage, relative softness, and brittle
-tenacity of the mineral make it difficult to facet. Faceted stones are
-seldom seen outside of collections. Cabochons are also difficult to cut
-from this material, but the rich color obtained is ample reward for the
-time and care necessary in cutting.
-
-Fluorite occurs at several other localities in Texas, notably in
-Hudspeth, Brewster, Presidio, Llano, and Burnet counties, but not
-commonly in gem quality or colors that warrant its use as gem material.
-
-
-
-
- Fossil Wood
-
-
-Wood that is buried in silica-rich sediments is commonly replaced by
-quartz, agate, or opal. The wood structure, including a large number of
-the annular rings, knots, small branches, and bark, may be preserved.
-This process of replacement by silica is believed to take considerable
-time. Preservations by other means (_see_ Jet, p. 22) are known, but
-silica replacements are most commonly used as gem materials.
-
-Fossil wood is often used by lapidaries as gem material when mineral
-replacement preserves the wood structure sufficiently well and when
-various impurities color the replacement material attractively.
-
-Excellent gem-quality fossil wood (Pl. I, B) has been found at a great
-number of localities in Texas. Agatized and opalized wood occurs in
-great abundance along the outcrops of Eocene and Oligocene strata of the
-Texas Gulf Coastal Plain. Much of this material is very well suited for
-cabochons, bookends, and other lapidary uses. The preservation is
-especially good at numerous localities in Washington, Lee, Fayette, and
-Gonzales counties, and the variety of colors, such as bluish, gray,
-brown, red, yellow, and black, makes this material especially sought
-after by “rock-hounds.” Some of the agatized and opalized wood
-fluoresces yellow or green under ultra-violet light. The fossil wood is
-sometimes found as stumps, limb sections, or large trunk fragments, but
-the great majority of the gem material is found as small broken
-fragments or stream-rolled cobbles.
-
-Fossil palm wood is by far the most sought after variety because this
-material displays “eyes” and tube-like structures that yield very
-attractive cabochons and cabinet specimens. Texas fossil palm wood is
-highly regarded by cutters from all parts of the country, and this
-material is thought by many lapidaries to be some of the finest
-gem-quality fossil wood in the United States.
-
-Gravel pits and river gravels in Live Oak County have produced very fine
-agatized wood. Although the gem material does not seem to be as abundant
-in this area as it is in counties to the northeast, the vivid colors and
-excellent preservation of the fossil wood in Live Oak County have
-attracted collectors from all over the State. The fossil wood usually
-occurs as large rounded cobbles in the streams. Much of this material is
-quite translucent when cut and contains various shades of brown, orange,
-and red.
-
-The gravels of the Rio Grande have produced some fossil wood in addition
-to the excellent agate that is also found there. Most of the fossil wood
-found in these gravels is very well preserved, but the colors are
-commonly dull shades of brown. Occasional fine red and yellow specimens
-have been recovered from the Rio Grande gravels, but these are rare.
-
-Good agatized wood has been found in and near Palo Duro Canyon,
-Armstrong County, about 50 miles southeast of Amarillo. Large trunk
-sections are not uncommon, but most of the material of cutting quality
-is obtained from small fragments. The Palo Duro Canyon fossil wood
-greatly resembles the famous Arizona Petrified Forest wood but is not
-nearly as plentiful. The Palo Duro wood contains yellow, brown, red, and
-bluish colors most commonly. Some of the wood-producing area is within
-Palo Duro Canyon State Park which is, of course, closed to collecting.
-The surrounding area has been worked diligently by local collectors, but
-new pieces of wood are exposed after heavy rains.
-
-Webb and Duval counties have also produced some good fossil wood
-specimens.
-
-
-
-
- Gadolinite
-
-
- _Composition_: Be₂FeY₂Si₂O₁₀. (Various other rare-earth elements may
- substitute into this mineral structure.) _Crystal system_: monoclinic.
- _Hardness_: 6.5 to 7.0. _Specific gravity_: about 4.2. _Luster_:
- vitreous to greasy. _Color_: black; in thin splinters dark bottle
- green. _Streak_: white to greenish. _Cleavage_: none. _Fracture_:
- conchoidal to splintery. _Tenacity_: brittle. _Diaphaneity_: opaque to
- subtransparent in thin pieces. _Refractive index_: variable, about
- 1.77 to 1.82.
-
-Gadolinite as a cut gem is not seen outside of large collections;
-however, it can be faceted into black opaque stones of little beauty but
-of great interest to collectors. The best known locality of this mineral
-in the United States is Baringer Hill, Llano County, Texas.
-Unfortunately, this locality was completely flooded by the completion of
-Buchanan Dam in 1938. Masses and rough crystals of gadolinite weighing
-over 100 pounds were mined from this locality. The gadolinite occurred
-in a large, very coarse-grained pegmatite dike associated with quartz,
-microcline, and fluorite, as well as allanite, fergusonite, nivenite,
-cyrtolite, thorogummite, and various other rare minerals. Some of the
-minerals in the dike occurred in very large masses. One quartz mass over
-40 feet in diameter was noted, and microcline masses up to 30 feet in
-diameter were not uncommon. Much of the gadolinite was used by
-industrial firms as a source of thorium compounds, although some
-specimen and gem material found its way into museums and private
-collections. Because the locality was worked mostly from 1910 to about
-1925 and because since 1938 the waters of Lake Buchanan have completely
-flooded the entire area, material from this locality is now exceedingly
-difficult to obtain. The collection of the Smithsonian Institution,
-Washington, D.C., contains a cut and polished gem of Baringer Hill
-gadolinite that weighs 8.6 carats. This mineral is radioactive because
-of the presence of uranium, thorium, and other rare radioactive
-elements.
-
-
-
-
- Garnet
-
-
-The garnet group of minerals is variable in composition. Listed below
-are the pure members of this group, but garnets found in nature are
-usually a mixture of two or more of these end members.
-
- Aluminum garnet—
- Grossularite (calcium-aluminum garnet), Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
- Pyrope (magnesium-aluminum garnet), Mg₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
- Almandite (iron-aluminum garnet), Fe₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
- Spessartite (manganese-aluminum garnet), Mn₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃
- Iron garnet—
- Andradite (calcium-iron garnet), Ca₃Fe₂(SiO₄)₃; may contain
- magnesium, titanium, and yttrium
- Chromium garnet—
- Uvarovite (calcium-chromium garnet), Ca₃Cr₂(SiO₄)₃
-
-Since almandite is the only variety of garnet known to occur commonly in
-gem quality in Texas, the following properties are for almandite except
-where noted.
-
- _Crystal system_: isometric (all varieties). _Hardness_: about 7.5.
- _Specific gravity_: 4.25. _Luster_: vitreous to resinous. _Color_:
- red, deep red, and brownish red (other varieties also yellow, white,
- orange, pink, black, and green). _Streak_: white. _Cleavage_: none.
- _Fracture_: subconchoidal to uneven. _Tenacity_: brittle to tough.
- _Diaphaneity_: transparent to subtranslucent. _Refractive index_:
- about 1.83.
-
-Good crystals of gem-quality almandite garnet have been found in Llano,
-Blanco, Burnet, and Gillespie counties. In southeast Llano County,
-northwest Blanco County, and northeast Gillespie County, the stones
-mostly occur in stream gravels where they have collected after being
-weathered out of compact mica schists. Owing to the fact that most of
-the garnets have not been transported very far from their source, the
-stones commonly show good crystal form (Pl. II, A). All of the garnets
-from one locality commonly do not have exactly the same crystal form.
-The garnets are mostly widely scattered in the stream gravels but can be
-found concentrated behind rocks and on small gravel bars.
-
-Many of the crystals are less than one-eighth inch in diameter; however,
-good crystals one-fourth to one-half inch in diameter are common. Most
-of the stones are too fractured or have too many inclusions to yield
-gems, but many transparent stones have been found. The transparent
-crystals usually yield flawless deep red faceted stones of 2 carats or
-less. Some of the stones that contain too many inclusions to facet are
-cut as cabochons and are then often known as carbuncle.
-
-Small garnet fragments have been found in streams and in gneisses and
-pegmatites near Castell, Llano County, but they are not commonly of gem
-quality.
-
-Occasional small gem-quality garnets have been found in pegmatites and
-contact metamorphic zones in Burnet County. Garnets have also been found
-in several other counties, notably Mason, El Paso, Hudspeth, and
-Culberson, but no stones of facet quality have been reported.
-
-
-
-
- Jet
-
-
- _Composition_: a variety of brown coal or lignite. _Structure_: woody.
- _Hardness_: 3 to 4. _Specific gravity_: about 1.30 to 1.35. _Luster_:
- dull. _Color_: black, brownish black. _Streak_: brown to brownish
- black. _Cleavage_: none. _Fracture_: uneven to smooth. _Tenacity_:
- tough to slightly brittle. _Diaphaneity_: opaque. Burns with a sooty
- yellowish flame.
-
-Jet is a type of fossil wood in which there has been sufficient chemical
-change to make the wood relatively hard and black without destroying the
-woody structure. The best specimens of jet polish into lustrous black
-cabochons.
-
-Jet occurs in Presidio County as compressed and flattened trunks of
-trees in a thin layer of coal and lignite in Cretaceous strata 100 to
-200 feet stratigraphically below the San Carlos beds.
-
-Specimens of “jet” have been found in some of the lignitic Tertiary
-strata of the Texas Gulf Coastal Plain; however, this material is mostly
-soft, brownish, and not of gem quality.
-
-
-
-
- Labradorite
-
-
- _Composition_: NaAlSi₃O₈, 50% to 30%; CaAl₂Si₂O₈, 50% to 70%. _Crystal
- system_: triclinic. _Hardness_: 6.0 to 6.5. _Specific gravity_: about
- 2.60. _Luster_: vitreous to sometimes pearly. _Color_: straw yellow,
- white, greenish, gray, reddish, bluish, and green. Sometimes shows a
- play of colors on particular cleavage surfaces. _Streak_: uncolored.
- _Cleavage_: three directions. _Fracture_: uneven to conchoidal.
- _Tenacity_: brittle. _Diaphaneity_: transparent to translucent.
- _Refractive index_: about 1.56. _Dispersion_: low.
-
-Very fine facet-quality labradorite has been found about 20 miles south
-of Alpine, Brewster County. The labradorite occurs loose in the soil as
-slightly weathered or frosted cleavage fragments, commonly showing one
-or more crystal faces (Pl. II, B). The pale-yellow or straw-yellow color
-of these fragments, as well as their lack of internal imperfections,
-makes these stones excellent gem material. Individual pieces that exceed
-three-fourths inch in their longest dimensions are rare. Cut stones of
-more than 5 or 6 carats from this locality are scarce. The source of
-this material is uncertain, but it is probably weathering out of an
-underlying igneous rock.
-
-
-
-
- Microcline
-
-
- _Composition_: KAlSi₃O₈. _Crystal system_: triclinic. _Hardness_: 6.0
- to 6.5. _Specific gravity_: 2.54 to 2.57. _Luster_: vitreous to
- pearly. _Color_: white, pale yellow, red, blue green, bluish.
- _Streak_: white. _Cleavage_: four directions, usually three of these
- distinct. _Fracture_: uneven. _Tenacity_: brittle _Diaphaneity_:
- transparent to translucent. _Refractive index_: about 1.52 to 1.53.
-
-Very fine crystals of blue microcline have been found east of Packsaddle
-Mountain and near Kingsland in Llano County. Crystals exceeding 1 foot
-in length have been found, although most are only a few inches long. The
-color of the microcline is mostly pale blue, but some crystals are
-darker. Microcline crystals associated with milky or vein quartz, smoky
-quartz, some biotite, and rarely cassiterite occur in pegmatite dikes
-which vary in size from a few inches to several feet in thickness. The
-color of this microcline is pale in comparison to microcline from some
-other localities in the United States, but the Texas blue microcline
-does yield pleasing cabochons. Perfect crystals of this material are
-prized by collectors. Blue or greenish microcline is often called
-amazonite or amazon stone.
-
-Bluish microcline associated with quartz and topaz has also been
-reported near Katemcy, Mason County.
-
-Red microcline is common in several central Texas counties and is a
-primary constituent of many of the igneous rocks in those counties.
-Large crystals of perthitic red microcline occur in pegmatite dikes of
-Mason, Llano, Burnet, and Gillespie counties. Any feldspar quarry or
-other pegmatite mining operation in any of these counties is likely to
-contain large red microcline crystals and fragments. Unfortunately, the
-good crystals that may have been present are often shattered by blasting
-during quarrying operations.
-
-Feldspar quarries in northeastern Gillespie County have yielded some
-good red cabochon material as well as good crystals. Here the microcline
-occurs with milky and smoky vein quartz, smoky quartz crystals, clear
-quartz crystals, greenish muscovite, and biotite. Many of the older
-quarries in Gillespie County have not been active for some time, and the
-dumps and quarry walls have been diligently searched by collectors.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 16. Crystal faces on microcline specimen shown in
- Plate III, A.]
-
-Many of the pegmatite dikes near Lake Buchanan in Llano and Burnet
-counties have produced some good red microcline specimens and cutting
-material (Pl. III, A, and fig. 16). Many of these crystals are more
-pinkish than those in Gillespie County, but this is commonly due to the
-fact that the crystal faces of the Lake Buchanan area crystals are
-somewhat more weathered than the fresh Gillespie County crystals.
-
-Numerous other local areas in the counties mentioned, as well as some
-localities in Hudspeth and Culberson counties, have also produced small
-amounts of red and pink microcline of gem quality.
-
-
-
-
- Obsidian
-
-
- _Composition_: volcanic glass. _Structure_: amorphous. _Hardness_: 5.0
- to 5.5. _Specific gravity_: 2.3 to 2.5. _Luster_: vitreous. _Color_:
- black, dark gray, reddish, brown, bluish, and greenish. _Streak_:
- white. _Cleavage_: none. _Fracture_: conchoidal. _Tenacity_: brittle.
- _Diaphaneity_: translucent to nearly opaque. _Refractive index_:
- variable, about 1.45 to 1.53.
-
-Gem-quality black and dark-gray obsidian has been found in Presidio
-County associated with extrusive igneous rocks. The obsidian in this
-area is too opaque to serve as attractive faceted stones but is found in
-pieces of sufficient size and quality to yield nice cabochons. Some of
-the small weathered pieces of this material resemble tektite in outward
-appearance; in fact, the “valverdites” mistaken originally for tektites
-are pebbles of weathered obsidian in terrace gravel of Val Verde County.
-Obsidian takes a high polish but is very sensitive to heat. Stones that
-are slightly overheated during grinding or sanding will quickly shatter.
-
-Obsidian of gem quality has been reported also in Brewster County.
-
-
-
-
- Opal
-
-
- _Composition_: SiO₂·nH₂O. _Structure_: amorphous. _Hardness_: 5.5 to
- 6.5. _Specific gravity_: 1.9 to 2.3. _Luster_: subvitreous to pearly.
- _Color_: white, bluish, pink, brown, yellow, and gray. _Streak_:
- white. _Cleavage_: none. _Fracture_: conchoidal. _Tenacity_: brittle.
- _Diaphaneity_: transparent to nearly opaque. _Refractive index_: 1.43.
-
-Opal other than as fossil or opalized wood (pp. 20-21) occurs at the
-following several localities in Texas.
-
-Approximately 16 miles south of Alpine, Brewster County, precious opal
-occurs in very small seams and as cavity fillings in very hard
-pinkish-brown rhyolite. This opal is milky or bluish and commonly
-exhibits small flashes of blue, green, red, and orange fire. Individual
-pieces of this opal are mostly quite small, rarely over one-fourth inch
-in diameter, and very difficult to remove from the tough rhyolite
-matrix. Local lapidaries have cut interesting cabochons from this
-material in which several small patches of opal that are close together
-in the matrix are included in the same cabochon.
-
-Small finds of opal associated with rhyolites and basalts have come from
-other localities in west Texas, but the opal mostly does not display
-enough play of colors to warrant its use as gem material.
-
-Near Freer, Duval County, some very attractive common opal has been
-found. The opal is colored various shades of pink, blue, and yellow and
-in certain local areas occurs as fragments that are cemented together by
-clear chalcedony. Various colors are commonly found in the same piece,
-and such material yields handsome cabochons. Although the area has never
-been worked commercially, it has been hunted by collectors and cutters
-for several years.
-
-
-
-
- Pearl
-
-
-Pearls are the result of the secretion of calcium carbonate by various
-shellfish around sand grains, parasitic organisms, shell fragments, or
-other foreign objects that have in some way entered the body cavity of
-the shellfish. Since the shellfish is unable to expel these irritating
-particles or organisms, it deposits successive layers of calcium
-carbonate around the foreign substance to make it smoother and less
-irritating. Although pearls are principally calcium carbonate, they also
-contain small amounts of an organic substance, called conchiolin, and
-water. Pearls are found in shellfish that live in either fresh or salt
-water. Few pearls are spherical in shape; most are rounded but somewhat
-irregular and are known as baroque pearls. Good quality pearls are the
-only gemstone commonly sold by the grain, a unit of weight equal to 0.25
-carat or 0.05 gram. The pearl grain is not the same unit of weight as
-the Troy grain.
-
-In Texas, pearls have been found in fresh-water clams in most of the
-major rivers and streams, notably in the Brazos, Concho, Colorado,
-Guadalupe, Llano, Nueces, Sabine, Rio Grande, and Trinity Rivers.
-Several Texas lakes have also yielded pearls, notably Caddo Lake and
-other lakes in north-central and northeast Texas.
-
-Small pearls are frequently found along the Texas Gulf Coast in edible
-oysters and other common shellfish. Fossil pearls have also been found
-but because of their darkened appearance are of value only as
-curiosities.
-
-The pearls thus far found in Texas have been of relatively poor quality
-and show little or no iridescence. These pearls have little value except
-as curiosities, although one writer has stated that the discovery of
-pearls in the Nueces River led to the original Spanish settlement of the
-State (Baker, 1935, p. 569).
-
-
-
-
- Quartz
-
-
- _Composition_: SiO₂. _Crystal system_: hexagonal. _Hardness_: 7.
- _Specific gravity_: 2.65 to 2.66 in crystals. _Luster_: vitreous, also
- waxy, greasy, and dull. _Color_: most often colorless, brown, yellow,
- violet; sometimes green, red, blue, and black; cryptocrystalline
- varieties often variously colored by impurities. _Streak_: white.
- _Cleavage_: indistinct. _Fracture_: conchoidal to splintery.
- _Tenacity_: brittle to tough. _Diaphaneity_: transparent to opaque.
- _Refractive index_: 1.544 to 1.553.
-
-The quartz family gemstones can be divided into two groups for purposes
-of description. The first group is the crystalline varieties, or those
-quartz varieties that commonly occur in distinct crystals. The second
-group is the cryptocrystalline varieties, or those quartz varieties that
-occur as irregular masses that are composed of many microscopic
-crystals. The crystalline varieties are usually much more transparent
-and are most often seen as faceted stones. The cryptocrystalline
-varieties vary from subtransparent to opaque and are almost always cut
-as cabochons.
-
-
-
-
- CRYSTALLINE VARIETIES
-
-
-_Amethyst_ (violet to purple-colored quartz).—A northeastern Gillespie
-County locality known as Amethyst Hill has produced quite a number of
-fine light to medium violet amethyst crystals which occur in quartz
-veins and geodes associated with serpentine and talc. Many crystals have
-been found loose in the soil.
-
-The amethyst tends to be very irregularly colored in zones parallel to
-the crystal faces. In many, the base of the crystal is colorless or
-white and only the termination is violet. Crystals up to 3 inches long
-have been found at this locality, but the average size is much less.
-
-The surface at this locality is almost entirely depleted of amethyst,
-with only an occasional small crystal or fragment to be seen. However,
-small excavations are still sometimes productive.
-
-Good groups of pale amethyst crystals have been found in quartz veins
-near the old town site of Oxford, Llano County. The occurrence seems to
-be much the same as the Amethyst Hill locality. Little exploration for
-gemstones has been done in this area, and future discoveries seem
-likely.
-
-Chalcedony geodes lined with amethyst crystals have been found in
-Brewster, Presidio, Culberson, and Hudspeth counties, but the
-occurrences are scattered. The crystals are seldom large enough to yield
-gems of more than 3 carats and are mostly very light colored.
-
-A few pieces of gem-quality amethyst have been found in Burnet County.
-
-_Citrine_ (yellow quartz).—Very little gem-quality citrine has been
-reported in Texas. Some small citrine crystals have been found at
-Amethyst Hill in northeastern Gillespie County, but few are of
-sufficient size or color to yield good gems.
-
-The writer has seen one citrine crystal that was found in the gravels of
-a small stream in eastern Llano County near Buchanan Dam. The crystal
-weighs about 1 ounce and is perfectly clear, light golden yellow, and
-flawless. However, a further search of the stream gravels failed to
-produce any other citrines.
-
-_Rock crystal_ (colorless quartz).—Numerous localities in Texas produce
-this colorless variety of quartz, which is the most common variety of
-facet quality quartz and consequently is of little value.
-
-Rock crystal occurs at many localities in Burnet, Llano, and Mason
-counties. The crystals mostly occur in pegmatite dikes or in stream
-gravels where they have been weathered out of their parent rock. Some
-fine colorless quartz crystals have been found near Voca, Mason County,
-in weathered pegmatite dikes and also loose in the sands of nearby
-streams. Crystals from this locality are often stained with reddish iron
-oxide on their outer surfaces. Some of the rock crystal found near
-Katemcy, Mason County, shows asterism when cut with the proper
-orientation. Fine clear colorless crystals up to 8 inches long have been
-found in the pegmatite dikes near Lake Buchanan in both Llano and Burnet
-counties. Several localities near Enchanted Rock in Llano County have
-also produced some good colorless crystals.
-
-Feldspar quarries in large pegmatites in northeastern Gillespie County
-have yielded attractive quartz crystals, some of which contain smoky
-phantom crystals and tourmaline inclusions.
-
-Some pieces of rock crystal enclosing green, needle-like actinolite
-crystals have been found near the Llano-Gillespie-Blanco County corner.
-This material is not suitable for faceted gems but does lend itself to
-interesting and attractive cabochons.
-
-Colorless quartz crystals commonly are found lining small chalcedony
-geodes in Brewster, Presidio, Culberson, Hudspeth, Reeves, and Jeff
-Davis counties. These crystals are most commonly less than 1 inch long
-but are mostly very clear.
-
-Rock crystal has been found in crevices of petrified wood in many east
-and southeast Texas counties, although the crystals are mostly quite
-small.
-
-Many lesser occurrences of rock crystal, too numerous to mention, are
-located within the State.
-
-_Rose quartz_ (pink quartz).—Rose quartz occurs at various localities in
-Burnet, Llano, Mason, and Gillespie counties, but the amount of material
-is mostly small and the greater part unsuitable for gem purposes. Some
-good pink rose quartz occurs near Town Mountain, Llano County, but this
-material does not have flawless areas large enough to yield faceted
-stones of more than a few carats. Rose quartz is always slightly milky,
-or cloudy, and does not cut into brilliant faceted stones. The Town
-Mountain rose quartz has been cut into attractive cabochons.
-
-_Smoky quartz_ (brown, yellow-brown, and golden-brown quartz).—Several
-Texas localities have produced fine smoky quartz. Baringer Hill, a noted
-rare-earth minerals pegmatite locality in Llano County, contained some
-smoky quartz crystals that were estimated to weigh over 1,000 pounds,
-and the locality produced many smaller crystals that were of gem
-quality. Baringer Hill was flooded by the completion of Buchanan Dam in
-1938 and is presently under the waters of Lake Buchanan. A few fine
-golden-brown gem-quality crystals have been found along the lake shore
-and in small pegmatites nearby (Pl. III, B.).
-
-Feldspar quarries in northeastern Gillespie County have produced smoky
-quartz crystals that exceed 1 foot in length, but these crystals are
-mostly flawed, possibly as a result of blasting, and mostly contain only
-small clear areas.
-
-Good color smoky quartz crystals are found with topaz in the pegmatites
-and stream beds in Mason County, near Streeter, Grit, and Katemcy. These
-crystals tend to be lighter colored than those near Lake Buchanan, but
-they commonly contain large flawless areas.
-
-
-
-
- CRYPTOCRYSTALLINE VARIETIES
-
-
-_Chalcedony._—When free from impurities of various oxides and other
-compounds, chalcedony has little to render it pleasing as a gemstone. It
-is mostly gray, white, brown, or bluish and commonly has a waxy luster.
-Some of the chalcedony found along the Rio Grande Valley and in west
-Texas will take dyes, and local lapidaries have had some success in
-dyeing this material various shades of blue, green, yellow, and red.
-When the chalcedony is naturally colored and variegated, usually in
-bands, mossy figures, or dendritic forms, it is called agate.
-
-_Agate_ (variegated chalcedony).—The wide variety of markings and colors
-available together with the ease of cutting make agate a favorite of
-many lapidaries. Fine agate has been found at numerous localities in
-west and south Texas. Fine plume agate, famous throughout the United
-States, is found south of Alpine. Plume agate is characterized by
-dendritic or tree-like inclusions and is mostly cut into very handsome
-cabochons. The agate from south of Alpine commonly contains black, red,
-yellow, or brown plumes within the same piece. The variety of colors and
-lack of porosity of this agate make it highly desired among lapidaries.
-The agate occurs loose on the surface of the ground and in the soil in
-small nodules that have a very rough, brownish surface. These nodules
-are mostly less than 3 inches in diameter, although specimens of gem
-quality have been found that exceed 200 pounds.
-
-Some very fine agate has been found in the vicinity of Needle Peak,
-Presidio County. This material is mostly green moss agate in clear
-chalcedony and commonly contains small yellow “sun-burst” figures. The
-contrasting yellow and green design makes very beautiful cabochons.
-
-Fine agate has been found south of Marfa, Presidio County. This agate is
-mostly clear chalcedony with black, yellow, or variously colored plumes,
-moss, or “bouquet-like” figures.
-
-Numerous other localities in Presidio and Brewster counties have
-produced good agate.
-
-Various amounts of agate, jasper, and chalcedony occur in the gravels of
-the Rio Grande in varying quantities from Big Bend National Park
-downstream to Brownsville. This agate is found both in the present river
-gravels and in the older river gravels that now are located on nearby
-hills and slopes up to several miles north or south of the present Rio
-Grande. The greatest concentration of agate and related gem materials
-seems to be in the area between Laredo and Rio Grande City. Vast
-quantities of excellent gem material have been removed from this area
-for many years (Pl. IV). The agate occurs as rounded, stream-worn
-cobbles and commonly has a thin white coating that makes it difficult to
-distinguish from the abundant chert and other rocks. The agate occurs in
-cobbles that are mostly 3 to 6 inches in diameter, but specimens of gem
-quality that exceed twice this size are known. The agate varies greatly
-in design and color. Plume, moss, banded, and sagenitic agate occur in
-these gravels in a wide variety of colors. The jasper in the Rio Grande
-gravels is yellow, red, green, or various shades of these and is
-commonly suspended as angular fragments in clear chalcedony.
-
-Good agate has also been found near Balmorhea in Reeves and Jeff Davis
-counties and in smaller amounts at numerous other west and south Texas
-localities.
-
-_Agatized wood_ (_see_ Fossil wood, pp. 20-21).
-
-_Carnelian_ (translucent reddish chalcedony).—This variety of chalcedony
-in small quantities has been reported from near Van Horn, Hudspeth
-County. Small pieces of carnelian have been found in the gravels of the
-Rio Grande, but finds have been few and scattered.
-
-_Jasper_ (impure opaque or subtranslucent quartz).—Good green, yellow,
-red, and brown jasper has been found in the gravels of the Rio Grande at
-all of the localities that produce agate. The colors are quite vivid,
-and the material takes a fine polish. Some pieces of orbicular jasper
-(jasper with circular or eye-like markings) have been found in this
-material. These gravels commonly contain jasper as fragments that are
-suspended in clear chalcedony; this is called brecciated jasper and
-yields very handsome cabochons.
-
-Many of the west Texas agate localities also produce jasper in quantity.
-Good jasper has been reported from north of Brackettville, Kinney
-County. Jasper is a minor constituent of the stream gravels in many
-parts of the State.
-
-
-
-
- Sanidine
-
-
- _Composition_: KAlSi₃O₈; commonly contains some sodium. _Crystal
- system_: monoclinic. _Hardness_: 6. _Specific gravity_: 2.57 to 2.58.
- _Luster_: vitreous to pearly. _Color_: colorless, white, pale yellow,
- and gray. _Streak_: uncolored. _Cleavage_: three directions.
- _Fracture_: conchoidal to uneven. _Tenacity_: brittle. _Diaphaneity_:
- transparent to subtranslucent. _Refractive index_: 1.52 to 1.53.
-
-Some feldspars, including sanidine, show a nice blue sheen in reflected
-light parallel to certain crystallographic directions. Stones having
-this property are called moonstone. A clear yellowish sanidine showing
-an attractive blue sheen has been found in Brewster, Jeff Davis, and
-Presidio counties. The individual pieces are small, the average size
-being about one-eighth inch. The sanidine is found loose in the soil at
-some localities where it has weathered out of rhyolite, and specimens of
-the sanidine in the parent rock are not difficult to obtain. Very small
-cabochons can be cut from this material, but few lapidaries have done so
-because inexpensive larger pieces of moonstone can be obtained easily
-from foreign sources. However, the west Texas sanidine does show a blue
-sheen when cut and polished.
-
-
-
-
- Spinel
-
-
- _Composition_: MgAl₂O₄ (magnesium may be replaced in part by ferrous
- iron or manganese and the aluminum by ferric iron and chromium).
- _Crystal system_: isometric. _Hardness_: 8. _Specific gravity_: 3.5 to
- 4.1. _Luster_: vitreous to sub-metallic. _Color_: black, pink, red,
- blue, green, yellow, brown, and violet. _Streak_: white. _Cleavage_:
- one direction, imperfect. _Fracture_: conchoidal. _Tenacity_: brittle.
- _Diaphaneity_: transparent to opaque. _Refractive index_: variable,
- approximately 1.72 to 2.00.
-
-In many areas of the world, fine quality, beautifully colored,
-transparent spinels are found and used as gems. The only gem-quality
-spinel reported thus far in Texas is black and opaque. Near Eagle Flat
-in Hudspeth County, black spinel crystals have been found associated
-with augite and natural glass; these minerals are weathering out of an
-intrusive igneous rock. The spinel crystals have an octahedral form
-which is common for this mineral (fig. 17). Most of the spinels are free
-of flaws, but because of their black color they have little value as
-gems. The crystals are found loose in the sand of streams near the
-outcrops of the igneous rock or embedded in the rock. They seldom exceed
-half an inch in diameter. These stones are primarily sought by
-collectors.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 17. Common crystal form of spinel.]
-
-
-
-
- Tektite (Bediasite)
-
-
- _Composition_: A natural glass, approximately 75% SiO₂, 15% Al₂O₃, 4%
- FeO, also MgO, Na₂O, K₂O, and traces of other elements. _Crystal
- structure_: amorphous. _Hardness_: 5 to 6. _Specific gravity_: 2.33 to
- 2.44. _Luster_: vitreous, often dull on weathered surfaces. _Color_:
- dark brown, greenish brown, appears black in thick sections. _Streak_:
- uncolored. _Cleavage_: none. _Fracture_: conchoidal. _Tenacity_:
- brittle. _Diaphaneity_: transparent to subtransparent. _Refractive
- index_: 1.488 to 1.512.
-
-The average bediasite size is about 1 inch in diameter, although
-specimens approximately 3 inches in diameter are known. The uncut
-tektites are very interesting, showing a variety of shapes and surface
-features (Pl. V, A) and many exhibit contorted flow structure. The
-surface of many tektites is grooved or furrowed, while on others it is
-smooth or frosted. The Texas tektites are known as “bediasites,” after
-place names in Grimes County traceable to the Bedias Indians who
-formerly lived there.
-
-Dark brown and greenish-brown tektites have been found in Texas in
-gravels at scattered localities in Walker, Grimes, Brazos, Burleson,
-Lee, Fayette, Gonzales, Lavaca, and DeWitt counties. Outside of Texas
-the only other authenticated tektite localities in the United States at
-the present time are in Dodge and Irwin counties, Georgia. A fragment of
-a similar tektite has recently been reported from near Martha’s
-Vineyard, Massachusetts. The tektites reported from Oklahoma are now
-known to be pebbles of obsidian.
-
-Although tektites have little value or beauty as gemstones, they have
-been cut by lapidaries as both faceted and cabochon stones. Tektites
-take a high polish but are mostly so dark in color that they appear
-black.
-
-The origin of tektites is of great scientific interest and is currently
-the subject of much debate. Some scientists believe that tektites are of
-meteoritic origin, while others believe that tektites were formed by
-various terrestrial processes. Since no one has actually observed a
-tektite to fall or form, and many of the theories of origin are
-difficult to prove without direct observation, the origin of tektites is
-likely to remain in controversy for some time.
-
-
-
-
- Topaz
-
-
- _Composition_: Al₂(F, OH)₂SiO₄. _Crystal system_: orthorhombic.
- _Hardness_: 8. _Specific gravity_: 3.4 to 3.6. _Luster_: vitreous.
- _Color_: pale blue, sky blue, greenish, white, wine yellow, straw
- yellow, grayish, pink, reddish, and orange. _Streak_: uncolored.
- _Cleavage_: one direction, basal, highly perfect. _Fracture_:
- conchoidal to uneven. _Tenacity_: brittle. _Diaphaneity_: transparent
- to subtranslucent. _Refractive index_: about 1.60 to 1.63.
- _Dispersion_: moderate.
-
-Various yellow and smoky colored quartz gems are offered for sale as
-“Spanish Topaz,” “Smoky Topaz,” “Madeira Topaz,” and “Topaz Quartz.”
-These names are entirely misleading and should be dropped from usage.
-
-Fine gem-quality white, pale-blue, and sky-blue topaz has been found
-near Streeter, Grit, and Katemcy, Mason County. This Texas gem material
-compares favorably in color, size, and clarity with topaz found anywhere
-in the United States. Fine crystals of topaz (Pl. V, B, and fig. 18)
-occasionally are found in pegmatite dikes associated with quartz, black
-tourmaline, cassiterite, and pink microcline. Many of the gem-bearing
-pegmatites have been eroded away, leaving the topaz concentrated in the
-stream beds. The stones mostly occur as frosted, stream-worn pebbles
-(Pl. VI, A) in the numerous small creeks in the area. The topaz is
-heavier than the quartz and microcline that compose the stream gravel
-and is commonly found immediately on top of the granite bed-rock in the
-bottom of the stream bed. The stones tend to lodge behind boulders or
-small dikes cutting across the stream.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 18. Crystal faces on topaz crystal shown in Plate
- V, B. This crystal habit is typical of the topaz from Mason County.]
-
-The white or colorless stones are by far the most common, outnumbering
-the bluish stones about ten to one. The color of the blue stones tends
-to be irregularly distributed in zones parallel to the crystal faces.
-Topaz that is colored in this manner should be cut with the best blue
-color near the bottom or culet of the gem (fig. 19). If done correctly,
-this will give the entire gemstone the desirable blue color.
-
-[Illustration: Fig. 19. Cross section showing the proper orientation of
- dark-color zone in a gem cut from an irregularly colored stone.]
-
- COLORLESS
- BLUE
-
-The colorless stones can be turned pale yellow, yellowish brown, or
-straw yellow by exposure to X-ray radiation, and some of the bluish
-stones will fluoresce faintly yellowish under ultra-violet light.
-
-The largest gem-quality topaz crystal yet found in North America has
-come from Mason County. It is a pale-blue crystal weighing 1,296 grams,
-now in the collection of the U.S. National Museum. Several other large
-pieces, some weighing over a pound, have been found. One large crystal,
-exact weight unknown, was found near Katemcy. Several gem cutters have
-estimated that this stone could easily yield a single, flawless
-pale-blue gem of about 500 carats. Many large gems have been cut from
-topaz found in this area, including at least one stone of over 300
-carats.
-
-One obstacle in the cutting of topaz is its perfect basal cleavage. The
-gemstone should be oriented so that no facet of the stone will be
-parallel to or within less than about 5 degrees of the cleavage
-direction, or the facet may be very difficult or impossible to polish.
-
-It is difficult to estimate the productivity of this area since its
-discovery in the early 1900’s. Few systematic attempts have been made to
-exploit the deposits, and a great amount of the topaz thus far recovered
-has been found by private collectors. The Mason County topaz deposits
-are still very productive, and additional exploration may uncover even
-more gem-producing areas.
-
-Topaz has also been found in stream gravels or pegmatites in Burnet,
-Llano, Gillespie, and El Paso counties but very rarely in gem quality.
-
-
-
-
- Tourmaline
-
-
- _Composition_: H₉Al₃(B·OH)₂Si₄O₁₉; hydrogen often replaced by iron,
- magnesium, calcium, or fluorine. _Crystal system_: hexagonal.
- _Hardness_: 7 to 7.5. _Specific gravity_: 2.98 to 3.20. _Luster_:
- vitreous to resinous. _Color_: black, brownish black, brown, blue,
- green, red, pink, yellow, and gray. _Streak_: uncolored. _Cleavage_:
- two directions, very imperfect. _Fracture_: subconchoidal to uneven.
- _Tenacity_: brittle. _Diaphaneity_: transparent to opaque. _Refractive
- index_: about 1.62 to 1.64.
-
-Black tourmaline is schorl; brown tourmaline, dravite.
-
-Good crystals of black and dark brown tourmaline occur at Town Mountain
-near Llano, Llano County. The tourmaline crystals average about 1 inch
-in length, do not commonly exceed 2 inches, and are associated with
-white vein quartz. The quartz completely encloses the tourmaline, but
-the crystals can be broken free or the quartz can be trimmed away with
-the use of a diamond saw. The latter procedure is recommended whenever
-possible, for it is very easy to shatter the tourmaline crystals while
-trying to remove them from the quartz by other means. Many of the
-crystals are completely unsuitable for cutting, being too brittle or too
-badly cracked and flawed. However, some small crystals have been found
-that are of sufficient quality and size to yield flawless stones of a
-few carats. Few of these stones have been cut since the tourmaline is so
-dark that it appears opaque, and few persons find a gem of this nature
-attractive.
-
-Good black and dark brown crystals of tourmaline associated with
-andalusite and graphite occur in the Packsaddle schist (Precambrian)
-near Sunrise Beach, Llano County (Pl. VI, B, and fig. 20). Although
-generally smaller in diameter than the crystals found at Town Mountain,
-they commonly exceed 3 inches in length, although the average size is a
-little over 1 inch. Many of these crystals are suitable for cutting into
-opaque or nearly opaque stones of about 5 or 6 carats.
-
-Black tourmaline has also been found in Hudspeth and Culberson counties
-but not of sufficient quality to be used as a gemstone.
-
-[Illustration: Fig. 20. Common crystal form of Llano County tourmaline.]
-
-
-
-
- Turquoise
-
-
- _Composition_: hydrous phosphate of aluminum and copper. _Crystal
- system_: triclinic. _Hardness_: 5 to 6. _Specific gravity_: variable,
- 2.6 to about 2.8. _Luster_: dull, sometimes waxy. _Color_: sky blue to
- greenish blue. _Streak_: white to greenish. _Cleavage_: none in
- massive material, two directions in crystals. _Fracture_: conchoidal
- to subconchoidal. _Tenacity_: brittle. _Diaphaneity_: subtranslucent
- to opaque. _Refractive index_: 1.61 to 1.65.
-
-Turquoise of good sky-blue to greenish-blue color has been found a few
-miles southwest of Van Horn, Culberson County. Several shallow pits were
-dug at this locality about 1910; however, the amount of turquoise
-produced was small. The main occurrence of the turquoise was in seams
-about 1 millimeter thick along joints in the fine-grained rocks of this
-area. Persons who have visited Culberson County more recently report
-that even minute traces of the turquoise are now difficult to find at
-the old prospect pits. However, further prospecting in the area might
-yield some additional localities.
-
-Small amounts of turquoise have been reported near El Paso, El Paso
-County, and also in volcanic rocks near the Jeff Davis-Brewster County
-line, north of Alpine.
-
-A small amount of turquoise has been mined from several localities a few
-miles northwest of Sierra Blanca in the Sierra Blanca Mountains of
-Hudspeth County.
-
-
-
-
- GLOSSARY
-
-
- Amorphous—without definite molecular structure; not crystalline.
- Baroque stone—an irregularly shaped, polished stone; usually applied
- to tumbled stones.
- Baroque pearl—an irregularly shaped pearl.
- Brilliancy—reflecting much light; having brightness.
- Brilliant cut—a mode of arrangement of facets commonly used on round
- or oval stones. The standard American brilliant cut has 57 or
- 58 facets. Most diamonds of 5 or less carats are cut in this
- manner.
- Cabochon—a stone cut with a flat or convex upper surface; sometimes
- faceted in part. Opal, star sapphire, and agate are stones
- that are frequently cut in this style (fig. 2).
- Cambrian—a division of geologic time, estimated to be the time from
- 550 to 440 million years ago; the oldest time division of the
- Paleozoic era.
- Carat—a unit of weight equal to ⅕ of a gram or 0.2 gram. One ounce
- avoirdupois is equal to 141.75 carats.
- Cleavage—the tendency of certain minerals to split in particular
- directions yielding relatively smooth plane surfaces.
- Conchiolin—an organic albuminoid substance found in pearls.
- Conchoidal—a type of fracture having curved concavities or the
- approximate shape of one-half of a bivalve shell. Glass has
- excellent conchoidal fracture.
- Cretaceous—a division of geologic time, estimated to be the time from
- 135 to 60 million years ago; youngest division of the Mesozoic
- era.
- Crown—that portion of a faceted gem above the girdle; the upper
- portion of a facet-cut gem (fig. 6).
- Cryptocrystalline—composed of very fine or microscopic crystals.
- Crystal—the regular polyhedral form, bounded by plane surfaces, that
- is assumed by a mineral under suitable conditions. Crystals
- have definite external symmetry and internal molecular order.
- Crystalline—possessing definite internal molecular order; not
- amorphous.
- Cubic—in the general shape of a cube. The isometric crystal system is
- often called the cubic system.
- Culet—the very bottom portion of a faceted gem; the point or line
- formed by the intersection of the lowest pavilion facets (fig.
- 6).
- Dendritic—branching or tree-like in form.
- Diaphaneity—relative transparency. The diaphaneity of a mineral is
- described as transparent, translucent, opaque, etc.
- Dike—a tabular rock body, usually igneous in origin, which cuts across
- the surrounding rock strata.
- Dispersion—a measure of the ability of gemstones to separate complex
- or white light into its component colors; often illustrated
- with a prism. Gemstones that are capable of separating colors
- of light widely are said to have high dispersion; gemstones
- not so capable of separating white light into colors are said
- to have low dispersion.
- Dopping—the act of cementing a gemstone, either rough or partly
- finished, to a dop-stick.
- Dop-stick—the wooden stick or cylindrical piece of metal to which a
- gemstone is cemented to facilitate handling during cutting and
- polishing.
- Dop-wax—the agent or cement used to secure a gemstone to a dop-stick.
- Emerald cut—a rectangular or square faceted stone with beveled corners
- whose surfaces are covered with several series of rectangular
- facets.
- Eocene—a division of geologic time, estimated to be the time from 50
- to 40 million years ago; one of the older divisions of the
- Cenozoic era.
- Extrusive rock—igneous rock that has been extruded or forced out onto
- the earth’s surface.
- Facet—a single plane polished surface on a faceted gem.
- Facet head—a device used in the cutting and polishing of faceted gems;
- used to control the placement of facets and their relative
- angles (fig. 7).
- Facet table—the equipment used in the cutting and polishing of faceted
- gems and the table on which most of the equipment is mounted
- (fig. 7).
- Feldspar—a group of closely related silicate minerals including
- orthoclase, microcline, sanidine, plagioclase, labradorite,
- and others.
- Fire—the reflections of variously colored light from a precious opal;
- also the different colors of light reflected from a faceted
- gem owing to the dispersion of the mineral.
- Fracture—the texture of a freshly broken surface other than a cleavage
- surface, described as conchoidal, even, splintery, etc.
- Gem—a cut and polished gemstone.
- Gemology—the science dealing with the study of gemstones.
- Gemstone—a mineral suitable for cutting into a gem; the term gemstones
- is frequently used collectively to include both cut and
- polished stones and rough stones.
- Geode—a rounded or spherical rock cavity; commonly lined with
- crystals.
- Girdle—the portion of a faceted gem separating the crown from the
- pavilion; the girdle may or may not be polished and usually
- contains about 2 percent of the total depth of the gem (fig.
- 6).
- Gneiss—a coarse-grained metamorphic rock having segregations of
- granular and platy minerals that give it a more or less banded
- appearance without well-developed schistosity.
- Grain (pearl grain)—a unit of weight equal to 0.05 gram or 0.25 carat;
- not the same as the Troy grain.
- Granite—a granular igneous rock composed mostly of quartz, feldspar,
- and commonly mica and/or hornblende.
- Hexagonal—having six angles and six sides; a crystal system in which
- the crystal faces are referred to four intersecting axes;
- three of these axes are equal, lie in the same plane, and
- intersect at angles of 60 degrees; the fourth axis is
- perpendicular to the other three.
- Igneous rock—rock formed by solidification from a hot melt.
- Index of refraction—a measure of the relative ability of a gemstone to
- “bend” incident light rays; sine of the angle of incidence of
- a light ray divided by the sine of the angle of refraction.
- Intrusive rock—rock that has been pushed (usually in a molten state)
- among pre-existing rock strata, commonly along faults or
- fissures. Intrusive rocks do not reach the earth’s surface but
- are commonly exposed at the surface by later erosion.
- Isometric—a crystal system in which the crystal faces are referred to
- three equal intersecting axes at right angles to each other.
- Lap—a disc-shaped piece of metal or other material which is
- impregnated with diamond dust, or some other cutting or
- polishing agent, that is revolved while the gemstone is worked
- against it.
- Lap plate—a metal plate to which a cutting or polishing lap is
- attached, usually by means of a threaded bolt and wing nut.
- The lap plate is attached to the shaft which is turned by the
- motor under the facet table.
- Lapidary—one who practices the lapidary arts; a gem cutter.
- Limestone—a sedimentary rock composed mostly of calcium carbonate.
- Luster—the appearance of the freshly broken or unweathered surface of
- a mineral in reflected light (p. 5).
- Main facet—as applied to the standard American brilliant cut, one of
- the first eight facets cut on either the crown or pavilion of
- a gem (fig. 6).
- Matrix—the material in which a specific mineral is embedded; also the
- rock to which one end of a crystal is attached.
- Metamorphic rock—rock that has been changed from its original state by
- heat, pressure, chemical action, or some combination of these
- factors.
- Millimeter—¹/₁₀ centimeter; approximately ¹/₂₅ inch.
- Mineralogy—the science concerned with the study of minerals, including
- their occurrence, composition, forms, properties, and
- structure.
- Monoclinic—a crystal system in which the crystal faces are described
- in relation to three intersecting unequal axes, two of which
- are at right angles and the third inclined.
- Oligocene—a division of geologic time, estimated to be the time from
- 40 to 28 million years ago; part of the Cenozoic era.
- Opaque—does not transmit light.
- Orbicular—containing orbs or spherical or eye-like markings or
- structures.
- Orthorhombic—a crystal system in which crystal faces are referred to
- three unequal intersecting axes at right angles.
- Pavilion—the portion of a faceted gem below the girdle (fig. 6).
- Pegmatite—a body of coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock, commonly
- lens or dike shaped.
- Perthitic—a plaid-patterned structure resulting from intermixture of
- soda- and potash-rich feldspars.
- Phantom crystal—a crystal outline seen within another crystal, mostly
- due to entrapping of inclusions during the crystal’s growth.
- Pleochroism—the property of transmitting different colors of light in
- different crystallographic directions.
- Point—a unit of weight equal to ¹/₁₀₀ (0.01) carat.
- Porous—containing pores or void spaces.
- Precambrian—a division of geologic time, estimated to be all of
- geologic time prior to 550 million years ago; the time before
- the Paleozoic era.
- Preform—a gemstone that has been ground to a rough outline of the
- finished shape of a gem.
- Rhyolite—a fine-grained extrusive or shallow intrusive igneous rock of
- approximately the same composition as granite.
- Rough—uncut, not worked by a lapidary, not cut and polished.
- Schist—a metamorphic rock that contains an abundance of oriented platy
- minerals that enable the rock to be split with relative ease
- parallel to the flat surfaces of the platy minerals.
- Silicified—replaced by or containing a large amount of quartz or
- silica.
- Skill facet—a term often used for the pavilion girdle facets of the
- standard American brilliant cut (fig. 6).
- Specific gravity—the weight in air divided by the loss of weight in
- water at a given temperature, or the weight of an object in
- air divided by the weight of an equal volume of water; also
- called relative density; the most commonly used standard
- temperature for this measurement is 4° C. or 39.2° F.
- Star facet—one of the eight facets surrounding the table facet of a
- standard American brilliant cut (fig. 6).
- Step cut—a mode of faceting in which the surface of the gem is covered
- by a series of square or rectangular facets; stones thusly cut
- are usually square, rectangular, or irregular with straight
- sides in outline.
- Streak—the color of a mineral when finely powdered; usually determined
- by rubbing the mineral against a piece of unglazed porcelain.
- Symmetry—the number, location, and balanced arrangement of crystal
- faces in reference to the crystallographic axes or other
- crystallographic planes or directions.
- Synthetic gem—a gemstone manufactured by man that has approximately
- the same chemical composition and properties as a natural
- gemstone.
- Table facet—the large horizontal facet found on the crown of many
- gems, often called simply the table (fig. 6).
- Tenacity—the resistance of minerals to breakage, described by such
- terms as malleable, ductile, sectile, and brittle (p. 6).
- Termination—the end of a crystal that is completely enclosed by
- crystal faces, the crystal end that is not attached to the
- matrix.
- Tertiary—a division of geologic time, estimated to be the time from 60
- to 1 million years ago; the Tertiary includes the Paleocene,
- Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene, and Pliocene epochs (from oldest
- to youngest).
- Tetragonal—having four angles; a crystal system in which the crystal
- faces are referred to three axes at right angles to each
- other, two of which are equal and the third longer or shorter.
- Translucent—allowing the passage of light but diffusing it
- sufficiently so that objects on the other side cannot be
- clearly distinguished.
- Transparent—clear, allowing free passage of light so that objects on
- the other side can be readily distinguished; opposite of
- opaque.
- Triclinic—a crystal system in which the crystal faces are referred to
- three unequal axes, none of which are at right angles.
- Tumbling—a process of polishing irregularly shaped gemstones (p. 17).
- Vein—a tabular, irregular, or twisting mineral deposit that is thin in
- relation to its length and breadth, usually the result of
- solution or hydrothermal activity.
- Vitreous—having luster, general appearance, or physical properties
- similar to glass.
- Vug—an unfilled rock cavity, commonly lined with crystals; may later
- become filled by minerals owing to solution or hydrothermal
- activity.
-
-
-
-
- SELECTED REFERENCES
-
-
-Anderson, B. W. (1948) Gem testing: Emerson, New York.
-
-Baker, C. L. (1935) Metallic and non-metallic minerals and ores
-(precious stones), _in_ The geology of Texas, Vol. II, Structural and
-economic geology: Univ. Texas Bull. 3401, Jan. 1, 1934, pp. 568-569.
-
-Barnes, V. E. (1940) North American tektites: Univ. Texas Pub. 3945,
-Dec. 1, 1939, pp. 477-582.
-
-Dake, H. C., Fleener, F. L., and Wilson, B. H. (1938) Quartz family
-minerals: Whittlesey House, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York.
-
-Ford, W. E. (1932) A textbook of mineralogy (4th ed.): John Wiley and
-Sons, Inc., New York.
-
-Kraus, E. H., and Slawson, C. B. (1947) Gems and gem materials (5th
-ed.): McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York.
-
-Kunz, G. F. (1892) Gems and precious stones of North America (2d ed.):
-Scientific Publishing Company, New York.
-
-Pough, F. H. (1953) A field guide to rocks and minerals: Houghton
-Mifflin Company, Boston.
-
-Simpson, B. W. (1958) Gem trails of Texas: Granbury, Texas.
-
-Sinkankas, John (1955) Gem cutting: D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc.,
-Princeton, New Jersey.
-
-—— (1959) Gemstones of North America: D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc.,
-Princeton, New Jersey.
-
-Smith, G. F. H. (1958) Gemstones (13th ed.), revised by F. C. Phillips:
-Methuen and Company, Ltd., London.
-
-Sperisen, F. J. (1950) The art of the lapidary: The Bruce Publishing
-Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
-
-Sterrett, D. B. (1913) Gems and precious stones, _in_ Mineral resources
-of the United States, Calendar Year 1912, Part II, Non-metals: U. S.
-Geol. Survey, pp. 1023-1060.
-
-
-
-
- Plate I
-
-
- [Illustration: A
-Gem-quality celestite crystals from Travis County, Texas. Twice natural
- size. Lower portion of the crystals is colorless; the tips are dark
- blue.]
-
- [Illustration: B
- Opalized wood from the Texas Gulf Coastal Plain. Specimen at left is
-rich brown and tan; specimen at right is fossil palm wood and is black,
- reddish brown, and white. One-third natural size.]
-
-
-
-
- Plate II
-
-
- [Illustration: A
- Gem-quality garnet crystals and faceted gem from Gillespie County,
- Texas. Natural size.]
-
- [Illustration: B
- Labradorite from Brewster County, Texas. Both stones are pale yellow.
- One and a half times natural size.]
-
-
-
-
- Plate III
-
-
- [Illustration: A
- Pink microcline crystal from Burnet County, Texas.]
-
- [Illustration: B
-Smoky quartz from Burnet County, Texas. Natural size. Colorless crystal
- at center back is included for color comparison.]
-
-
-
-
- Plate IV
-
-
- [Illustration: Polished agate from gravels of the Rio Grande near
-Zapata, Zapata County, Texas. Bands are blue and gray; other inclusions
- are brown, yellow, and reddish. One and a half times natural size.]
-
-
-
-
- Plate V
-
-
- [Illustration: A
-Texas tektites (bediasites) showing variety of surface features. Natural
- size.]
-
- [Illustration: B
-Topaz crystal from a pegmatite dike near Streeter, Mason County, Texas.
-Natural size. Measurements: 1½ by 1⅝ by 3 inches; weight: 194 grams (970
- carats); pale blue; mostly gem quality.]
-
-
-
-
- Plate VI
-
-
- [Illustration: A
- Topaz from stream gravels near Streeter, Mason County, Texas. Natural
-size. Left to right: colorless worn pebble; emerald-cut pale-blue topaz,
- weight 10 carats; pale-blue worn pebble, weight 205 carats; step out
- sky-blue topaz, weight 13 carats; pale-blue worn pebble.]
-
- [Illustration: B
- Tourmaline crystals in schist from Llano County, Texas.]
-
-
-
-
- Index
-
-
- A
- actinolite: 26
- agate: 20, 28, 38
- agatized wood: 27
- allanite: 21
- almandite: 22
- amazonite: 23
- amazon stone: 23
- amber: 18
- amethyst: 25
- Amethyst Hill: 25
- amorphous gemstones: 9
- andalusite: 30
- Arkansas: 19
- Armstrong County: 21
- augite: 18, 28
-
-
- B
- Baringer Hill, Llano County: 21, 26
- baroque pearls and/or stones: 17, 25
- bediasite (tektite): 28-29, 39
- beryl: 18
- Big Bend National Park: 27
- biotite: 23
- Blanco County: 18, 22
- Brazos County: 29
- Brazos River: 25
- Brewster County: 18, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 36
- brilliancy: 5
- brilliant cut, standard American: 13, 15, 16
- Brown County: 19
- Burleson County: 29
- Burnet County: 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 37
-
-
- C
- cabochon gems: 10-12
- Caddo Lake: 25
- carbuncle: 22
- carnelian: 27
- cassiterite: 23, 29
- celestite: 19, 35
- chalcedony: 27
- geodes: 26
- chuck: 15, 17
- citrine: 25-26
- cleavage: 6, 13
- coal: 22
- Coke County: 19
- color: 5
- Colorado River: 25
- Concho River: 25
- crown girdle facets: 16, 17
- crown of gemstone: 15, 16
- crystals: 7-9
- crystal systems: 7
- crytolite: 21
- Culberson County: 22, 23, 25, 26, 31
- culet: 13
- cutting and polishing: 10-17
- cutting lap: 13
-
-
- D
- DeWitt County: 29
- diamond: 19
- saw: 10, 11
- diaphaneity: 5
- dispersion: 6
- dopping: 12, 13
- dop-stick: 12, 15, 17
- dop-wax: 12, 15, 17
- dravite: 30
- durability: 6
- Duval County: 21, 24
-
-
- E
- El Paso County: 22, 30, 31
- emerald cut: 15
- epidote: 19-20
-
-
- F
- facet, kinds of: 13
- main: 16
- skill: 16
- table: 13, 14
- faceted gems and/or stones: 10, 13-17
- Fayette County: 20, 29
- fergusonite: 21
- fire: 5
- Fisher County: 19
- fluorite: 20, 21
- Foard County: 19
- fossil wood: 20-21, 22
- fracture: 6
- Franklin Mountains: 18
-
-
- G
- gadolinite: 21-22
- garnet: 20, 22, 36
- gemstones, by kinds: 18-31
- geodes, celestite: 19
- Georgia: 29
- Gillespie County: 18, 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 36
- girdle facets: 16
- gneiss: 22
- Gonzales County: 20, 29
- grain: 25
- gram: 7
- graphite: 30
- Grimes County: 29
- grinding: 12
- Guadalupe River: 25
- Gulf Coast: 25
- Gulf Coastal Plain: 18, 20, 22, 35
-
-
- H
- hardness: 6
- Hudspeth County: 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31
-
-
- I
- index of refraction: 5
-
-
- J
- jasper: 27-28
- Jeff Davis County: 26, 27, 28, 31
- jet: 22
-
-
- K
- Kinney County: 28
-
-
- L
- labradorite: 23, 36
- Lake Buchanan: 21
- Lampasas County: 19
- lap plate: 13
- Lavaca County: 29
- Lee County: 20, 29
- lignite: 22
- Live Oak County: 21
- Llano County: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 31, 40
- Llano River: 25
- luster: 5
-
-
- M
- Madeira topaz: 29
- Mason County: 20, 22, 23, 26, 29, 30, 39, 40
- Massachusetts: 29
- Maverick County: 18
- microcline: 20, 21, 23-24, 29, 37
- Mohs scale of hardness: 6
- moonstone: 28
- Mount Bonnell: 19
- muscovite: 23
-
-
- N
- natural glass: 18, 24, 28
- Needle Peak, Presidio County: 27
- nivenite: 21
- Nolan County: 19
- Nueces River: 25
-
-
- O
- obsidian: 24, 29
- Oklahoma: 29
- opal: 20, 24
- opalized wood: 35
- orbicular jasper: 28
- ounce: 7
-
-
- P
- Packsaddle Mountain: 23
- Packsaddle schist: 30
- palm wood: 21, 35
- Palo Duro Canyon: 21
- pavilion: 13, 16
- facets: 16
- girdle facets: 16, 17
- pearl: 24-25
- pegmatites and/or pegmatite dikes: 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 29, 39
- petrified wood: 26
- phantom crystals: 26
- pistacite: 20
- pleochroism: 5
- point: 7
- polishing: 17
- lap: 13, 16
- preformed stone: 16
- preforming: 15
- Presidio County: 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28
- properties of gemstones: 5-7
-
-
- Q
- quartz: 20, 21, 23, 25-28, 29, 30
- smoky: 38
-
-
- R
- radioactive elements: 22
- radioactivity of gadolinite: 21
- rarity: 6
- Reeves County: 26, 27
- Rio Grande: 25
- gravels of: 21, 27, 38
- Valley: 27
- rock crystal: 26
- rose quartz: 26
-
-
- S
- Sabine River: 25
- sanding: 12
- sanidine: 28
- sawing: 10
- scheelite: 20
- schorl: 30
- size: 7
- “skill” facets: 16
- “slab” of gem materials: 11
- Smithsonian Institution: 21
- smoky quartz: 23, 26, 37
- smoky topaz: 29
- Spanish topaz: 29
- specific gravity: 7
- spinel: 18, 28
- star facets: 17
- step cut: 15
- streak: 6
- synthetic gems: 7
-
-
- T
- table facet: 13, 15
- tektite (bediasite): 28-29, 39
- tenacity: 6
- thorogummite: 21
- topaz: 23, 26, 29-30, 39, 40
- quartz: 29
- tourmaline: 26, 29, 30-31, 40
- Town Mountain, Llano County: 26, 30
- transparency: 6
- Travis County: 19, 35
- Trinity River: 25
- tumbled gems: 17
- turquoise: 31
-
-
- U
- U. S. National Museum: 30
-
-
- V
- value of gemstones: 6, 7
- Val Verde County: 24
- valverdites: 24
- Van Horn, Hudspeth County: 27
-
-
- W
- Walker County: 29
- Washington County: 20
- Webb County: 21
- weight, units of: 7, 25
-
-
- Z
- Zapata County: 38
-
-
-
-
- Transcriber’s Notes
-
-
---Silently corrected a few typos.
-
---Renumbered figures 6 and 7 (and references to them) to correspond to
- their order in the printed book.
-
---Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook
- is public-domain in the country of publication.
-
---In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by
- _underscores_.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Texas Gemstones, by Elbert A. King, Jr.
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diff --git a/old/60070-0.zip b/old/60070-0.zip
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-The Project Gutenberg EBook of Texas Gemstones, by Elbert A. King, Jr.
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
-other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
-whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
-the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
-www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
-to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
-
-Title: Texas Gemstones
-
-Author: Elbert A. King, Jr.
-
-Release Date: August 6, 2019 [EBook #60070]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TEXAS GEMSTONES ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed
-Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- BUREAU OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY
- The University of Texas at Austin
- Austin, Texas 78712
-
- JOHN T. LONSDALE, _Director_
-
-
- Report of Investigations--No. 42
-
-
-
-
- Texas Gemstones
-
-
- By
- Elbert A. King, Jr.
-
- February 1961
-
- _Second Printing--February 1963
- Third Printing--September 1972
- Fourth Printing--March 1983
- Fifth Printing--August 1991_
-
-
-
-
- Contents
-
-
- Page
- Introduction 5
- Properties of gemstones 5
- Crystals 7
- Cutting and polishing of gemstones 10
- Cabochon gems 10
- Faceted gems 13
- Tumbled gems 17
- Texas gemstones 18
- Amber 18
- Augite 18
- Beryl 18
- Celestite 19
- Diamond 19
- Epidote 19
- Fluorite 20
- Fossil wood 20
- Gadolinite 21
- Garnet 22
- Jet 22
- Labradorite 23
- Microcline 23
- Obsidian 24
- Opal 24
- Pearl 24
- Quartz 25
- Crystalline varieties 25
- Amethyst 25
- Citrine 25
- Rock crystal 26
- Rose quartz 26
- Smoky quartz 26
- Cryptocrystalline varieties 27
- Chalcedony 27
- Agate 27
- Agatized wood 27
- Carnelian 27
- Jasper 27
- Sanidine 28
- Spinel 28
- Tektite (bediasite) 28
- Topaz 29
- Tourmaline 30
- Turquoise 31
- Glossary 32
- Selected references 34
- Index 41
-
-
-
-
- Illustrations
-
-
- Figures-- Page
- 1. Typical crystal form of three common Texas gemstones 9
- 2. Variations of the cabochon cut 10
- 3. Diamond saw 11
- 4. Cabochon properly attached to dop-stick 12
- 5. Cabochons at various stages of cutting and polishing 12
- 6. Nomenclature of the standard American brilliant cut 13
- 7. Facet table 14
- 8. Grinding the table facet on a rough stone 15
- 9. Stone dopped to table facet 15
- 10. Preformed stone dopped to table facet 16
- 11. Proper sequence of cutting of the pavilion facets 16
- 12. Proper placing of pavilion girdle facets 17
- 13. Proper sequence of cutting of crown facets 17
- 14. Common crystal form of Travis County celestite 19
- 15. Common crystal form of fluorite 20
- 16. Crystal faces on microcline specimen shown in Plate III 23
- 17. Common crystal form of spinel 28
- 18. Crystal faces on topaz crystal shown in Plate V 29
- 19. Cross section through irregularly colored stone 30
- 20. Common crystal form of Llano County tourmaline 31
-
-
- Plates-- Page
- I. A, Gem-quality celestite crystals from Travis County. B,
- Opalized wood from the Texas Gulf Coastal Plain 35
- II. A, Gem-quality garnet crystals and faceted gem from Gillespie
- County. B, Labradorite from Brewster County 36
- III. A, Pink microcline crystal. B, Smoky quartz. Both from Burnet
- County 37
- IV. Polished agate from gravels of the Rio Grande near Zapata,
- Zapata County 38
- V. A, Texas tektites (bediasites). B, Topaz crystal from a
- pegmatite dike near Streeter, Mason County 39
- VI. A, Topaz from stream gravels near Streeter, Mason County. B,
- Tourmaline crystals in schist from Llano County 40
-
-
- Table 1. Properties of some common Texas gem minerals 8
-
-
-
-
- Texas Gemstones
-
-
- ELBERT A. KING, JR.
-
-
-
-
- INTRODUCTION
-
-
-Throughout history man has sought stones and minerals for personal
-adornment and ornamentation. Stones and minerals that are sufficiently
-beautiful, durable, and rare are known as gemstones. A gemstone with
-only one of these qualities is less desirable than one with all three.
-For example, a stone with rich color but not sufficiently durable to
-withstand daily wear in rings finds little favor as a gemstone except in
-brooches or pins where the stone is relatively safe from abrasion.
-Likewise, a stone that is beautiful and durable may be of little
-interest as a gemstone because it is commonly found in great quantities.
-To be valued highly, gemstones must be beautiful to the eye, durable
-enough to withstand wear, and rare enough so that they are not easily
-obtained.
-
-
-
-
- Properties of Gemstones
-
-
-The beauty of gemstones is mostly dependent on their color, diaphaneity,
-brilliancy, luster, and fire. Any one or a combination of these
-properties render stones desirable as gems.
-
-Color is very important in many gemstones. The color of transparent
-varieties should be distinct enough to be pleasing to the eye, yet not
-so dark as to appear black or opaque. It is generally more desirable
-that the gemstone be of even color and not appear "patchy" or
-"streaked." However, some opaque or translucent stones such as agate owe
-their popularity chiefly to the variety of colors and designs within a
-single piece. Some transparent gemstones exhibit different colors when
-viewed in different directions. For example, some fine blood-red rubies
-appear brownish when viewed in a particular direction. The gemstone
-should be cut so that its finest color is most prominently displayed.
-This ability of some gemstones to exhibit different colors when viewed
-in different directions is called pleochroism.
-
-Diaphaneity is the relative ability of stones to transmit light.
-Diaphaneity is described by terms such as transparent, translucent, and
-opaque. Transparency is highly desirable in stones such as diamond that
-are commonly facet-cut to reflect light. The gemstone should be water
-clear and free from inclusions and cracks so that it transmits light
-freely, but there are stones that do not exhibit this property that are
-prized as gemstones. For example, turquoise may appear to be completely
-opaque and not transmit any light, but it is sought for its fine blue
-color.
-
-The brilliancy of gemstones is largely dependent on their index of
-refraction. The index of refraction is a measure of the ability of a cut
-gemstone to "bend" light rays and reflect them from the bottom facets
-back through the top of the stone. Of course, brilliancy is not noted in
-opaque or faintly translucent stones. The index of refraction of
-gemstones is expressed numerically. Air is the reference medium and is
-assigned an index of refraction of 1.00. Other substances are assigned
-values relative to that of air, for example, water, 1.33; topaz, 1.62;
-diamond, 2.42. The higher the index of refraction, the more brilliant
-will be the gemstone if it is properly cut and polished.
-
-Luster is the appearance of the mineral on a fresh surface in reflected
-light; it is divided into two major categories, metallic and
-non-metallic. Most gemstones have non-metallic luster and are described
-by terms such as vitreous or glassy, resinous, waxy, greasy, and pearly.
-
-The fire, or ability of gemstones to show flashes of different colors of
-light, is dependent upon a property called dispersion. The amount of
-dispersion is the extent to which the gemstone is able to separate
-ordinary white light into its component colors. The dispersion of
-gemstones can also be expressed numerically but for purposes of this
-publication will be referred to as low, moderate, or high. Diamond is a
-common gemstone that has high dispersion.
-
-A gemstone's durability is primarily dependent upon its hardness. The
-Mohs scale of hardness, given below, is most commonly used for gemstones
-and other minerals.
-
- _Mohs Scale of Hardness_
- 1. Talc
- 2. Gypsum
- 3. Calcite
- 4. Fluorite
- 5. Apatite
- 6. Orthoclase feldspar
- 7. Quartz
- 8. Topaz
- 9. Corundum
- 10. Diamond
-
-On this scale, the higher numbers are the harder minerals. Mohs is a
-relative, not an absolute scale. Therefore, it should not be assumed
-that diamond is ten times harder than talc because actually diamond is
-very many tens of times harder than talc. However, a particular mineral
-is harder than any other mineral with a lesser number, and the scale is
-very convenient to use. Gemstones mounted in rings should have a
-hardness of at least seven on the Mohs scale, or the stones may become
-scuffed and scratched after a relatively short period of wear. Gemstones
-mounted in pins and brooches can be of softer material as they are not
-usually subjected to abrasion and rough treatment.
-
-The tendency of some minerals to split with relative ease in particular
-directions along planes is called cleavage. Cleavage is also a factor
-determining the durability of gemstones. Some gemstones do not exhibit
-this tendency at all, whereas others cleave in several directions. The
-number of cleavages is always the same in any one mineral, and the
-direction of cleavages is constant in relation to the crystal structure
-of any one mineral or gemstone. It is apparent that of stones having the
-same hardness, the ones lacking cleavage or having the lesser number of
-good cleavage directions are the most durable.
-
-Some stones, such as jade and agate, owe their durability to their
-compact fibrous structure, which makes them very tough and durable even
-though they are not especially hard.
-
-Several other properties of gemstones, although not always contributing
-to the beauty or desirability of gemstones, are useful in identifying
-uncut specimens.
-
-Streak is the color of the mineral when finely powdered or, for softer
-minerals, the color obtained by rubbing the mineral against a piece of
-unglazed porcelain or tile. The color of a mineral's streak is commonly
-different from the unpowdered specimen.
-
-Fracture is the kind of surface obtained when the mineral is broken in a
-direction that is not a cleavage direction. Fracture surfaces are
-described by such terms as conchoidal (like the fracture of glass),
-subconchoidal, splintery, even, and uneven.
-
-Tenacity is the resistance of a mineral to breakage. Brittle minerals
-break relatively easily on impact. Malleable minerals, such as gold, may
-be flattened under a hammer into very thin sheets without breaking.
-Sectile minerals may be cut with a knife without powdering. Most
-gemstones, even diamond, are brittle.
-
-It is only natural to value most those gemstones that are not common or
-easy to obtain. Emerald owes its longstanding popularity to its fine
-green color, but tourmaline is sometimes found in colors that very
-closely approach that of emerald and yet sells for considerably less
-because it is so much more common.
-
-Rarity is not the only factor affecting the value of gemstones. Freedom
-from internal imperfections, quality of cutting, color, and size must
-also be considered in cut and polished gemstones. Internal
-imperfections, such as inclusions and cracks, detract from the
-appearance of gemstones and interfere with the passage of light between
-the facets; consequently, gemstones containing these imperfections are
-not valued as highly as those without them. Poor cutting or polishing
-detract from the beauty and thus from the value of gemstones. Unpopular
-or poor color commonly causes gemstones to be less valuable. Rich green
-emeralds are exceedingly prized, whereas very pale green emeralds are
-relatively inexpensive. Diamonds that have the least hint of yellow are
-never valued as highly as pure colorless, pink, or blue stones. Few
-persons find the yellowish color attractive, unless it is a vivid canary
-yellow.
-
-Size is important in determining the value of gemstones but not as
-important as perfection. A badly flawed gemstone of large size may be
-worth only a slight fraction of the value of a smaller perfect one.
-Gemstone size is usually measured in carats, a unit of weight, although
-millimeter size is sometimes used. Five carats is equal to 1 gram and
-approximately 28-1/3 grams is equal to 1 ounce avoirdupois. One
-one-hundredth (0.01) of a carat is called a point, and this term is
-often used, especially pertaining to very small gemstones.
-
-The term used to compare the relative weights of minerals and gemstones
-is specific gravity, which is expressed numerically in relation to
-water. Water is assigned the value of 1.00. Therefore, at a given
-temperature a gemstone having a specific gravity of 2.00 is twice as
-heavy as an equal volume of water. A 1-carat sapphire (specific gravity
-about 4.00) will be smaller than a 1-carat amethyst (specific gravity
-about 2.65) because the heavier material will occupy less volume to have
-the same weight.
-
-A summary of properties helpful in identification of common Texas gem
-minerals is given in Table 1.
-
-Comparatively recently in the history of gemstones, man has succeeded in
-the production of synthetic gems that have properties closely
-approaching those of many natural gemstones. To the untrained eye some
-synthetic gems may appear identical to natural stones, but synthetic
-gems can be detected with little difficulty by a properly equipped
-expert. Although most synthetic gems are inexpensive, their manufacture
-has not adversely affected the value of natural gemstones but instead
-has increased the demand for fine natural gems.
-
-
-
-
- Crystals
-
-
-Gemstones that have an orderly internal molecular arrangement are
-referred to as crystalline. This internal order is commonly reflected in
-the external shape of "rough" or uncut gemstones. The resultant shape is
-a polyhedral solid bounded by planes and called a crystal. Well-formed
-crystals are formed in nature only under relatively ideal conditions of
-temperature, pressure, and space. The specific temperatures and
-pressures involved vary with different minerals, but most crystals need
-space in which to form so that their "growth" is not impaired by
-surrounding rocks and minerals. However, some minerals, such as garnet
-and tourmaline, can grow in metamorphic rocks by recrystallization of
-minerals in the metamorphic rocks. The size of crystals varies from
-microscopic to tens of feet. Any one mineral usually has one or two
-typical crystal forms or arrangements of plane surfaces that aid greatly
-in the identification of the mineral when it occurs in good crystals
-(fig. 1). Frequently gemstones are found as abraded stream-rolled
-pebbles, fragments, or masses that do not show crystal form. Crystals of
-the same mineral from different locations commonly show somewhat
-different crystal forms owing to slight differences in composition or
-conditions of formation. Mineralogists and crystallographers classify
-crystals by the symmetry that they exhibit. The crystal systems are (1)
-isometric or cubic, (2) tetragonal, (3) hexagonal, (4) orthorhombic, (5)
-monoclinic, and (6) triclinic. A complete description of the
-classification of crystals can be found in almost any mineralogy text
-(see Selected References, p. 34).
-
- Table 1. Properties of some common Texas gem minerals.
- MINERAL COMPOSITION HARDNESS SPECIFIC INDEX OF COMMON
- GRAVITY REFRACTION COLORS IN
- TEXAS
-
- Amber fossil resin 2.0-2.5 1.05-1.10 about 1.54 brown, yellow
- Augite CaMgSi_2O_6 5.0-6.0 3.2-3.6 1.60-1.71 greenish
- brown, black
- Beryl Be_3Al_2(SiO)_6 7.5-8.0 2.63-2.80 1.56-1.60 pale blue,
- colorless,
- greenish
- Celestite SrSO_4 3.0-3.5 3.95-3.98 1.62-1.63 colorless,
- blue
- Epidote HCa_2(Al, 6.0-7.0 3.25-3.50 1.72-1.77 yellowish
- Fe)_3Si_3O_1_3 green,
- brownish
- green
- Fluorite CaF_2 4.0 3.0-3.25 1.434 colorless,
- violet,
- yellow, green
- Garnet Fe_3Al_2(SiO_4)_3 about 7.5 4.25 about 1.83 red, deep
- (Almandite) red,
- brownish red
- Labradorite NaAlSi_3O_8 50% to 6.0-6.5 about 2.6 about 1.56 yellowish,
- 30% CaAlSi_3O_8 50% grayish
- to 70%
- Microcline KAlSi_3O_8 6.0-6.5 2.54-2.57 1.52-1.53 pink, red,
- bluish,
- greenish,
- white
- Obsidian volcanic glass 5.0-5.5 2.3-2.5 1.45-1.53 dark gray,
- black,
- brownish
- Opal SiO_2nH_2O 5.5-6.5 1.9-2.3 1.43 white, pink,
- bluish,
- brown, gray
- Quartz SiO_2 7.0 2.65-2.66 1.544-1.553 colorless,
- (Crystalline) violet,
- yellow, brown
- Tektite natural glass 5-6 2.33-2.44 1.48-1.52 dark brown,
- (Bediasite) greenish
- brown
- Topaz Al_2(FOH)_2SiO_4 8.0 3.4-3.6 1.60-1.63 colorless,
- bluish, sky
- blue
- Tourmaline H_9Al_3(BOH)_2Si_4O_1_9 7.0-7.5 2.98-3.20 1.62-1.64 black, dark
- brown
-
-Some gemstones, such as opal and obsidian, never occur as crystals owing
-to a lack of internal structural order. Such gemstones are termed
-amorphous, or without form. Amorphous gemstones mostly occur in nature
-as irregular lumps or masses, cavity fillings, or veins.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 1. Typical crystal form of three common Texas
- gemstones.]
-
- GARNET
- TOURMALINE
- QUARTZ
-
-
-
-
- CUTTING AND POLISHING OF GEMSTONES
-
-
-There are two types of widely used gemstone cuts. Opaque or figured
-gemstones are usually cut with a rounded upper surface and a flat or
-rounded back. A stone cut in this fashion is termed a cabochon or is
-said to be cabochon cut. There are several variations of this mode of
-cutting (fig. 2). Precious opal, agate, jade, star sapphire, and fossil
-wood are some of the stones that are cut mostly as cabochons.
-Transparent gemstones are usually cut with many plane polished surfaces.
-Such stones are called faceted, and the process of cutting and polishing
-these stones is called faceting. Emerald, diamond, topaz, and garnet are
-examples of gemstones that are commonly seen as faceted stones.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 2. Variations of the cabochon cut. Left to right:
- double cabochon; flat cabochon; simple cabochon; hollow cabochon.]
-
-The cutting of gemstones, although sometimes tedious and time consuming,
-is not especially difficult or complex. However, like most arts and
-crafts, technique and ability should improve with practice and
-experience. There are currently many amateur gem cutters in Texas. A
-complete set of equipment necessary to cut cabochon stones may be
-purchased for as little as $50.00 or $60.00. Most amateur cabochon
-cutters have equipment that cost less than $100.00 which enables them to
-do very fine work on many gem materials. Facet cutting requires more
-precise equipment, and a complete array of such usually costs more than
-$100.00, although less expensive equipment can be obtained. The
-beginning gem cutter or lapidary who is willing to assemble and make
-some of his own equipment can reduce his initial expenses considerably.
-
-
-
-
- Cabochon Gems
-
-
-The procedures listed herein for gem cutting do not apply to all
-gemstones. Stones that are especially brittle, soft, or difficult to
-polish require additional procedures or special techniques. Many
-lapidaries may deviate from these procedures. Some of the steps of
-cutting and polishing are merely matters of personal opinion and vary
-somewhat from cutter to cutter. There are several detailed texts on the
-art of gem cutting; the descriptions herein are designed to give the
-reader only a general idea of the procedures and techniques involved.
-
-The cutting and polishing of cabochons require several steps. The
-initial step is sawing. Assuming that the rough gem material is large
-enough to be sawed (larger than about half an inch in diameter), it is
-clamped into the carriage of a diamond saw (fig. 3) and cut into slices
-about 3/8-inch thick. The blade of the saw is mild steel that has been
-impregnated with diamond dust around the edge, hence the name diamond
-saw. The blade is rotated rapidly, and the material to be cut is "fed"
-to the blade by a sliding carriage on which the gem material is clamped.
-The extreme hardness of the diamond dust in the edge of the blade
-enables the saw to cut through several inches of gem material in a few
-minutes. The lower portion of the saw blade is immersed in a mixture of
-kerosene and oil, and the rotating saw blade carries with it some of the
-kerosene-oil mixture; this acts as a coolant and lubricant for both the
-saw blade and the material being cut. Without this lubricant, the heat
-generated by sawing would shatter most gem materials and also damage the
-saw blade. As this "slicing" or sawing of the material usually takes
-several minutes, a weight and pulley are generally used to give the gem
-material the necessary pressure against the saw blade. When cut through,
-the "slab" of gem material falls into the kerosene-oil mixture at the
-bottom of the saw or onto a special platform that cushions its fall.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 3. Diamond saw.]
-
- Motor
- Clamp
- Diamond-charged blade
- Carriage
- Stone
- Weight
-
-After being sawed, the slab of gem material is examined, and the
-location and size of the stones to be cut from the slab are determined.
-The desired outline of the shape of the gem to be cut is marked on the
-slab with a pointed piece of aluminum rod; ordinary pencil marks are not
-used because they wear away too quickly in the cutting process. Once the
-area from which the gem is to be cut has been selected and the outline
-of the gemstone has been marked on the slab, the excess material is
-trimmed away by a smaller diamond saw known as a trim-saw. In some slabs
-the excess material can be broken and "nibbled" away with a strong pair
-of pliers.
-
-The remaining portion of the stone is usually held by hand and ground to
-the desired shape using the previously scribed mark as a guide. This is
-done using a relatively coarse-grained (about 150 grit) specially made
-carborundum grinding wheel.
-
-Now that the desired outline has been obtained, the stone is firmly
-affixed to a slender wooden or hollow aluminum dop-stick (fig. 4). The
-process whereby the stone is attached to the dop-stick with a specially
-compounded jeweler's wax is called dopping. The dop-wax is heated over
-an alcohol lamp or candle flame until it is soft and pliable and is then
-spread around on the end of the dop-stick and formed into a mass about
-the right size and shape to fit the back of the gemstone. The stone is
-likewise heated, and the wax is applied to the back of the stone while
-both wax and stone are hot. Upon cooling, the wax firmly fixes the stone
-to the dop-stick. The dop-stick allows the lapidary to have firm control
-of the stone during all later stages of cutting and polishing.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 4. Cabochon properly attached to dop-stick.]
-
- CABOCHON
- DOP-WAX
- DOP-STICK
-
-The top of the dopped gemstone is worked against the coarse carborundum
-grinding wheel until it is a rough approximation of the desired shape.
-The stone is then worked against a much finer-grained (about 220 grit)
-grinding wheel to remove the irregularities left by the coarse grinding
-and to further smooth and shape the surface of the gemstone. At all
-times while grinding, a small flow of water should be directed on the
-grinding wheel to keep the stone cool. Grinding on the stone for even a
-few minutes without cooling may result in the shattering of the gemstone
-because of heat created by friction of the stone against the grinding
-wheel. If the lapidary keeps the surface of the grinding wheel wet,
-there is little chance of damaging most gem materials.
-
-The next phase of cabochon cutting and polishing is sanding. The
-gemstone is worked against two sanding drums of different grit size.
-This sanding can be done with the sandpaper surface either wet or dry,
-as needed or as preferred by the lapidary. However, great care should be
-exercised during sanding so that the stone is not overheated.
-Overheating can easily occur whether the sandpaper is used wet or dry.
-As in grinding, sanding is first done on coarser grit paper (about 300
-grit) and last on finer paper (about 600 grit). It is in the sanding
-process that the first hint of polish is noted on the surface of the
-stone. After sanding, the gemstone should have perfect form with no
-surface irregularities, a very finely textured surface, and only very
-minor scratches left from sanding. The gemstone is now ready to be
-polished.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 5. Cabochons at various stages of cutting and
- polishing. Left to right: trimmed from slab: ground to outline; after
- rough grinding; after sanding; polished.]
-
-At this point the procedure depends on the nature of the gemstone being
-polished. Most gem materials are worked against a buffing wheel that is
-impregnated or saturated with a mixture of some polishing compound and
-water. A soft felt buffing wheel with cerium oxide as the polishing
-agent is used for many materials. The mixture of cerium oxide and water
-is usually applied to the buffing wheel with a small brush. The lapidary
-should once more be careful not to overheat the stone. If the stone
-becomes too hot to hold to the underside of the cutter's wrist, it
-should be permitted to cool for a few seconds before continuing. After
-polishing on the buffing wheel, the gemstone should have a fine, high
-polish and be free of any scratches or surface irregularities. The
-finished gemstone is removed from the dop-stick by heating the dop-wax
-and pulling the stone loose. Any excess wax that hardens again before it
-can be removed from the stone by hand can be dissolved away by rubbing
-with an acetone-soaked cloth. Figure 5 illustrates the desired
-appearance of the gemstone at the end of each of the steps of cutting
-and polishing.
-
-
-
-
- Faceted Gems
-
-
-The principles involved in faceting are about the same as those in the
-cutting of cabochons, but the equipment and technique are considerably
-different. The equipment required for the facet cutting of gemstones is
-built into or attached to a small specially constructed table (fig. 7),
-and the unit is commonly called a facet table. Most faceted gemstones
-are cut to obtain the largest flawless stone possible from the rough
-material. Therefore, one of the first and most important steps for the
-lapidary is to decide how the stone is to be cut from the rough crystal
-or pebble. The colors that can be obtained from the gemstone must also
-be considered, and the cutting of the stone oriented so that its best
-color is displayed. The lapidary also selects the orientation of the
-stone in relation to the cleavage or cleavages. It is difficult or
-impossible to polish facets of gemstones that are cut parallel to a good
-cleavage direction.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 6. Nomenclature of the standard American brilliant
- cut.]
-
- TOP VIEW
- SIDE VIEW
- Star facet
- Crown main facet
- Crown girdle facet
- Pavilion girdle facet
- Pavilion main facet
- TABLE
- CROWN GIRDLE
- PAVILION
- CULET
- BOTTOM VIEW
-
-Once the orientation of the gemstone to be cut from the rough material
-has been determined, the stone is dopped onto a special metal dop-stick
-that fits into the chuck of the facet head. The chuck is tightened so
-that the position of the stone on the end of the arm of the facet head
-is firmly fixed, and the facet head is adjusted so that the first facet
-that is cut is the horizontal, top facet of the stone or table facet
-(fig. 6). The table facet is cut by grinding the gemstone on a flat
-cutting lap that is diamond impregnated (fig. 8). By minor adjustments
-of the facet head, the lapidary can precisely control the location of
-the table facet. As soon as the table facet has been ground to the
-proper size, the cutting lap is removed from the lap plate, and the
-polishing lap is secured in place. Many different kinds of polishing
-laps and polishing compounds may be used depending on the properties of
-the material being polished. However, one lap and one polishing compound
-are usually sufficient for each gem variety. After the polishing lap is
-secured to the lap plate, the lapidary adjusts the facet head so that
-the stone is in exactly the same position relative to the lap that it
-was during the cutting of the table facet. The polishing lap is run wet
-or damp with water, as is the cutting lap, and small amounts of the
-polishing compound are applied to the surface of the lap while the facet
-is being polished. The minor scratches left by the cutting process are
-gradually removed, and a fine lustrous polish develops on the facet. It
-is especially important to take care in achieving a perfect polish on
-the table facet, as this facet occupies a large area of the crown of the
-gemstone. When the cutting and polishing of the table facet are
-completed, the gemstone is still rough or uncut in all portions except
-for this single, large, polished surface.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 7. Facet table.]
-
- Water
- Light
- Adjusting ring
- Post
- Arm
- Chuck
- Stone
- Abrasives
- DIAMOND DUST
- CALCIUM OXIDE
- LANDE-A
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 8. Grinding the table facet on a rough stone.]
-
- CHUCK
- DOP-STICK
- DOP-WAX
- STONE
- LAP
-
-The gemstone is then removed from the dop-stick by melting the dop-wax
-and is dopped once more so that the plane of the polished table facet is
-perpendicular to the axis of the chuck and arm of the facet head (fig.
-9). Great care should be taken by the lapidary to insure that the table
-of the stone is exactly perpendicular to this axis, or the proper
-placing of the later facets on the stone may become very difficult.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 9. Stone dopped to table facet.]
-
- TABLE FACET
- DOP-WAX
- STONE
- DOP-STICK
-
-Once the stone has been properly dopped to the table facet, the lapidary
-is ready to proceed with the cutting of the outline of the stone. If it
-is to be a brilliant cut, the stone is ground perfectly round in
-outline; if it is to be an emerald or step cut, it is shaped so that it
-is square or rectangular in outline. This process is called preforming.
-The arm of the facet head is lowered on the post until it is horizontal,
-and the stone is worked against the cutting lap until the desired shape
-is obtained. When the preforming process is completed, the stone should
-have the desired outline of the finished gem (fig. 10).
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 10. Preformed stone dopped to table facet.]
-
- DOP-WAX
- STONE
- DOP-STICK
-
-The lapidary is now ready to proceed with the cutting of the pavilion of
-the stone. The arm of the facet head is raised to the proper angle for
-cutting the main pavilion facets. The angle at which the main facets are
-cut is very critical in determining the beauty of the finished stone.
-The required angle at which these facets must be cut varies with the
-refractive indices of the different varieties of gem minerals. If the
-facets are not cut at exactly the proper angle, light entering the top
-or crown of the gemstone can pass completely through the stone, instead
-of being reflected back out of the crown facets. The result is a dull,
-lifeless stone that appears to have a "hole" or "fish-eye" in the
-center. Stones that are cut in this manner are greatly reduced in value.
-The angle at which the facets are cut is controlled by the adjustment of
-the height of the arm of the facet head on the post. The lapidary will
-continually adjust this height, because the angle between the arm and
-the surface of the lap changes slightly as the facet is ground down to
-its proper place and size.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 11. Proper sequence of cutting of the pavilion
-facets. Left to right: four main facets; all eight main facets; half of
- the pavilion girdle facets; completed pavilion.]
-
-The standard American brilliant cut will be used as an example of facet
-cutting. Procedure for all other cuts is essentially the same to this
-point. After the eight main pavilion facets have been cut, the cutting
-angle is changed a few degrees, the arm of the facet head rotated
-slightly, and the sixteen pavilion girdle facets or "skill" facets, as
-they are often called, are cut (fig. 11). The pavilion girdle facets
-should meet exactly in the center of the main facets at the girdle of
-the stone. The pavilion girdle facets should neither overlap, nor should
-there be any space between them (fig. 12). After the pavilion girdle
-facets are cut, the cutting of the pavilion of the gemstone is
-completed. The facets are then polished on the polishing lap at the same
-angles and in the same order as they were cut, and the pavilion of the
-gem is completely finished.
-
-The stone is then removed from the dop-stick by melting the dop-wax and
-is re-dopped to the pavilion facets so that the crown of the stone is
-now exposed for cutting. Before the lapidary proceeds with the cutting
-of the crown, it is necessary that the stone be perfectly centered on
-the dop-stick and that the plane of the table facet be perpendicular to
-the dop-stick and to the axis of the arm of the facet head. The eight
-main facets are cut first, with numerous adjustments being made by the
-lapidary to insure that the proper angle is maintained (fig. 13). Then
-the cutting angle is changed a few degrees, the arm of the facet head
-rotated slightly, and the crown girdle facets are cut. The crown girdle
-facets are placed very similarly to the pavilion girdle facets except
-that they are shorter. The crown girdle facets should be joined in
-exactly the same way as the pavilion girdle facets. When these facets
-are properly cut, the cutting angle is again changed, the arm rotated,
-and the eight star facets are cut. This completes the cutting of the
-crown of the stone. The cutting lap is removed from the lap plate, and
-the polishing lap is secured into place. The facets are carefully
-polished in the same order that they were cut. After the last star facet
-has been polished, the stone is removed from the dop-stick. Any excess
-dop-wax is removed from the stone by means of a solvent, and the full
-beauty of the finished gem is revealed.
-
-
-
-
- Tumbled Gems
-
-
-One other method of finishing gemstones that deserves mention is
-tumbling. "Baroque" or "free-form" stones are produced in this manner.
-Loose pebbles or pieces of gem materials left over from other cutting
-processes are placed in a small barrel or specially constructed box with
-loose carborundum grit. The barrel is turned by means of a small motor,
-and the abrasion of the pebbles and grit against each other tends to
-round the pebbles and give them a finely pitted surface. Progressively
-finer and finer carborundum grit is used, and eventually a polishing
-compound. The result is several pounds of well-polished gem pebbles of
-various shapes and sizes. These baroque stones have found recent favor
-in costume jewelry of modern design. The tumbling process is rather
-slow, commonly requiring several days or weeks. However, little effort
-is involved on the part of the lapidary, and, consequently, the cost of
-most tumbled or baroque stones is quite modest. Only gem material that
-is unsuitable for cutting in other manners should be finished in this
-way.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 12. Proper placing of the pavilion girdle facets.
- Left: facets not joined. Center: facets overlapped, joined too high.
- Right: correct placing.]
-
- Stone
- Dop-wax
- Dop-stick
- Chuck
-
-[Illustration: Fig. 13. Proper sequence of cutting of the crown facets.
- Left to right: four main facets; all eight main facets; half of the
- crown girdle facets; completed crown.]
-
-
-
-
- TEXAS GEMSTONES
-
-
-
-
- Amber
-
-
- _Composition_: fossil resin. _Crystal system_: amorphous. _Hardness_:
- about 2.0 to 2.5. _Specific gravity_: variable, from 1.05 to 1.10.
- _Luster_: resinous. _Color_: brown, yellow, red, orange, and white.
- _Streak_: white to yellowish to gray. _Cleavage_: none. _Fracture_:
- conchoidal. _Tenacity_: brittle. _Diaphaneity_: transparent to
- translucent. _Refractive index_: variable, about 1.54. Burns with a
- sweet, piney odor.
-
-Rich brown to yellowish amber has been found near Eagle Pass, Maverick
-County, in Cretaceous coal and on Terlingua Creek, Brewster County.
-Although much of this material is translucent and the quality suitable
-for lapidary purposes, the pieces are seldom more than a fraction of an
-inch in diameter.
-
-Occasional finds of poor quality brownish amber have been reported from
-the Tertiary formations of the Gulf Coastal Plain, but thus far no gem
-quality material has been found.
-
-The softness of amber limits its use to brooches, necklaces, and other
-jewelry that is relatively safe from abrasion.
-
-
-
-
- Augite
-
-
- _Composition_: CaMgSi_2O_4; may also contain iron, aluminum, and
- sometimes titanium. _Crystal system_: monoclinic. _Hardness_: 5 to 6.
- _Specific gravity_: 3.2 to 3.6. _Luster_: vitreous to dull. _Color_:
- dark greenish brown and greenish black. _Streak_: light grayish green.
- _Cleavage_: two directions, poor. _Fracture_: conchoidal to uneven.
- _Tenacity_: brittle. _Diaphaneity_: opaque to translucent. _Refractive
- index_: variable, about 1.60 to 1.71.
-
-Augite of gem quality occurs near Eagle Flat, Hudspeth County, Texas.
-Although this material is very dark greenish brown and not commonly
-thought of as a gemstone, lapidaries have used it to fashion black
-faceted stones and cabochons that resemble obsidian. Most of the augite
-occurs as loose pieces and crystal fragments that have weathered out of
-nearby igneous rocks; the augite can also be found in situ in the
-igneous rocks.
-
-Specimens and pieces of cutting quality 1 inch in diameter are common,
-and fragments over 2 inches in diameter have been found. The augite is
-associated with black spinel and some dark gray to black pieces of
-natural glass. Although the faceted and cabochon-cut stones are not
-particularly attractive, some of the larger pieces of augite might be
-utilized for carving.
-
-
-
-
- Beryl
-
-
- _Composition_: Be_3Al_2(SiO)_6. _Crystal system_: hexagonal.
- _Hardness_: 7.5 to 8.0. _Specific gravity_: 2.63 to 2.80. _Luster_:
- vitreous. _Color_: pale blue, blue, green, yellow, brownish, pink, and
- colorless. _Streak_: white. _Cleavage_: one direction, very imperfect.
- _Fracture_: conchoidal to uneven. _Tenacity_: brittle. _Diaphaneity_:
- transparent to subtranslucent. _Refractive index_: 1.56 to 1.60.
- _Dispersion_: low.
-
-Gem-quality beryl has not been reported in Texas. A discussion of beryl
-is included herein because the writer believes it likely that beryl of
-gem quality will be found in Texas as a result of future investigations
-and exploration.
-
-Beryl crystals have been found in pegmatite dikes in Llano, Blanco, and
-Gillespie counties. These crystals are commonly several inches long and
-exceed 1 inch in diameter but are very badly fractured. Most of the
-beryl crystals do not approach gem quality and are entirely unsuitable
-for any lapidary use. The color of the crystals found thus far is
-bluish, greenish, pinkish brown, yellowish, and colorless. Some very
-tiny colorless beryl crystals have been found that are transparent, but
-thus far such crystals have been too small to be cut into gems.
-
-Fine blue beryl crystals have been found in the Franklin Mountains near
-El Paso, Texas. Unfortunately, these crystals are so badly flawed and
-fractured that they are not suitable for lapidary use.
-
-It seems likely that careful prospecting of Texas pegmatites will reveal
-at least some gem-quality beryl.
-
-
-
-
- Celestite
-
-
- _Composition_: SrSO_4. _Crystal system_: orthorhombic. _Hardness_: 3.0
- to 3.5. _Specific gravity_: 3.95 to 3.98. _Luster_: vitreous. _Color_:
- white, blue, greenish, reddish, and brownish. _Streak_: white.
- _Cleavage_: three directions, although one of these directions is not
- easily developed. _Fracture_: uneven. _Tenacity_: brittle.
- _Diaphaneity_: transparent to subtranslucent. _Refractive index_: 1.62
- to 1.63. _Dispersion_: moderate.
-
-Celestite is very seldom cut into gems. Being very soft, brittle, and
-having three cleavages, celestite is completely unsuitable for jewelry.
-These same properties make this mineral exceedingly difficult to facet;
-however, faceted stones are seen in large collections.
-
-[Illustration: Fig. 14. Common crystal form of Travis County celestite.
- Same crystal form as shown in Plate I, A.]
-
-Fine crystals of colorless and blue gem-quality celestite (Pl. I, A, and
-fig. 14) have been found at Mount Bonnell and other localities west of
-Austin, Travis County. The celestite crystals occur in vugs or geodes in
-limestone. The crystals are mostly white or colorless and fractured near
-the base or where attached, but the tips of the crystals are commonly
-clear celestine blue and completely free of flaws.
-
-Crystals several inches in length have been found, but the average size
-is about 1 inch. The smaller crystals are frequently more transparent
-and consequently better suited for cutting. It is very difficult to
-obtain crystals that will allow the cutting of flawless stones of more
-than 4 or 5 carats.
-
-Bluish and colorless celestite of gem quality and fine crystals have
-been found near Lampasas, Lampasas County, and near Brownwood, Brown
-County, but neither of these localities has been very productive of good
-gem material.
-
-Celestite geodes have been found in parts of Coke, Fisher, and Nolan
-counties, but these geodes contain little gem material.
-
-
-
-
- Diamond
-
-
- _Composition_: carbon. _Crystal system_: isometric. _Hardness_: 10.
- _Specific gravity_: 3.51 to 3.53. _Luster_: adamantine to greasy.
- _Color_: brown, colorless, pink, blue, yellow, and various other light
- colors; rarely deeply colored; sometimes black. _Cleavage_: four
- directions, octahedral, perfect. _Fracture_: conchoidal. _Tenacity_:
- brittle. _Diaphaneity_: transparent to opaque. _Refractive index_:
- 2.42. _Dispersion_: high.
-
-There is only one well-authenticated find of diamond in Texas. A small
-brownish diamond was found in 1911 on section 64, block 44, Foard County
-(Sterrett, 1912, pp. 1040-1041). The exact weight of the stone has not
-been recorded, but one authority estimated that it was of sufficient
-size and clarity to yield a cut stone of about one-quarter carat.
-
-The only diamond-bearing rocks known in the United States are in Pike
-County, Arkansas. Although many other diamonds have been found in the
-United States, all were loose in gravels or streams except for some
-stones at the Arkansas locality. The fact that one diamond was found in
-Foard County does not mean that the prospects of finding more diamonds
-in Texas are much better there than anywhere else in the State. It is
-highly unlikely that more than a very few diamonds will ever be found in
-Texas, and any stones that may be found in the future are likely to be
-widely scattered.
-
-
-
-
- Epidote
-
-
- _Composition_: HCa_2(Al, Fe)_2Si_3O_1_3. _Crystal system_: monoclinic.
- _Hardness_: 6 to 7. _Specific gravity_: 3.25 to 3.5. _Luster_:
- vitreous. _Color_: yellowish green to brownish green and brown.
- _Streak_: uncolored to grayish. _Cleavage_: two directions.
- _Fracture_: uneven. _Tenacity_: brittle. _Diaphaneity_: transparent to
- opaque. _Refractive index_: about 1.72 to 1.77.
-
-Llano County has furnished some green and brownish-green epidote that is
-suitable for cutting into cabochons. Most of the material that
-approaches gem quality has come from contact metamorphic zones and is
-associated with garnet, quartz, and some scheelite. Some small cavities
-in the rocks contain tiny transparent crystals of gem quality, but the
-largest obtainable flawless faceted stones would probably be less than
-15 points.
-
-Faceted stones of epidote are sometimes known as pistacite owing to
-their common pistachio-green color.
-
-
-
-
- Fluorite
-
-
- _Composition_: CaF_2. _Crystal system_: isometric. _Hardness_: 4.
- _Specific gravity_: 3.0 to 3.25. _Luster_: vitreous. _Color_: violet,
- blue, colorless, green, yellow, brown, rose, and crimson red.
- _Streak_: white. _Cleavage_: four directions, octahedral, perfect.
- _Fracture_: subconchoidal to splintery. _Tenacity_: brittle.
- _Diaphaneity_: transparent to subtranslucent. _Refractive index_:
- 1.434.
-
-Very fine green, transparent fluorite has been found near Voca, Mason
-County. The fluorite occurs as vug fillings in pegmatites, associated
-with crystals of pink microcline and colorless quartz. Most of the vugs
-have been completely filled by the fluorite; therefore, crystals (fig.
-15) of the fluorite are not too common. Masses of fluorite several
-pounds in weight, rich green, and quite transparent have been found near
-Voca. Transparent pieces an inch or more in diameter are common.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 15. Common crystal form of fluorite.]
-
-Fluorite is much too soft for everyday use in jewelry and because of the
-low refractive index does not yield brilliant faceted stones. The
-perfect four-directional cleavage, relative softness, and brittle
-tenacity of the mineral make it difficult to facet. Faceted stones are
-seldom seen outside of collections. Cabochons are also difficult to cut
-from this material, but the rich color obtained is ample reward for the
-time and care necessary in cutting.
-
-Fluorite occurs at several other localities in Texas, notably in
-Hudspeth, Brewster, Presidio, Llano, and Burnet counties, but not
-commonly in gem quality or colors that warrant its use as gem material.
-
-
-
-
- Fossil Wood
-
-
-Wood that is buried in silica-rich sediments is commonly replaced by
-quartz, agate, or opal. The wood structure, including a large number of
-the annular rings, knots, small branches, and bark, may be preserved.
-This process of replacement by silica is believed to take considerable
-time. Preservations by other means (_see_ Jet, p. 22) are known, but
-silica replacements are most commonly used as gem materials.
-
-Fossil wood is often used by lapidaries as gem material when mineral
-replacement preserves the wood structure sufficiently well and when
-various impurities color the replacement material attractively.
-
-Excellent gem-quality fossil wood (Pl. I, B) has been found at a great
-number of localities in Texas. Agatized and opalized wood occurs in
-great abundance along the outcrops of Eocene and Oligocene strata of the
-Texas Gulf Coastal Plain. Much of this material is very well suited for
-cabochons, bookends, and other lapidary uses. The preservation is
-especially good at numerous localities in Washington, Lee, Fayette, and
-Gonzales counties, and the variety of colors, such as bluish, gray,
-brown, red, yellow, and black, makes this material especially sought
-after by "rock-hounds." Some of the agatized and opalized wood
-fluoresces yellow or green under ultra-violet light. The fossil wood is
-sometimes found as stumps, limb sections, or large trunk fragments, but
-the great majority of the gem material is found as small broken
-fragments or stream-rolled cobbles.
-
-Fossil palm wood is by far the most sought after variety because this
-material displays "eyes" and tube-like structures that yield very
-attractive cabochons and cabinet specimens. Texas fossil palm wood is
-highly regarded by cutters from all parts of the country, and this
-material is thought by many lapidaries to be some of the finest
-gem-quality fossil wood in the United States.
-
-Gravel pits and river gravels in Live Oak County have produced very fine
-agatized wood. Although the gem material does not seem to be as abundant
-in this area as it is in counties to the northeast, the vivid colors and
-excellent preservation of the fossil wood in Live Oak County have
-attracted collectors from all over the State. The fossil wood usually
-occurs as large rounded cobbles in the streams. Much of this material is
-quite translucent when cut and contains various shades of brown, orange,
-and red.
-
-The gravels of the Rio Grande have produced some fossil wood in addition
-to the excellent agate that is also found there. Most of the fossil wood
-found in these gravels is very well preserved, but the colors are
-commonly dull shades of brown. Occasional fine red and yellow specimens
-have been recovered from the Rio Grande gravels, but these are rare.
-
-Good agatized wood has been found in and near Palo Duro Canyon,
-Armstrong County, about 50 miles southeast of Amarillo. Large trunk
-sections are not uncommon, but most of the material of cutting quality
-is obtained from small fragments. The Palo Duro Canyon fossil wood
-greatly resembles the famous Arizona Petrified Forest wood but is not
-nearly as plentiful. The Palo Duro wood contains yellow, brown, red, and
-bluish colors most commonly. Some of the wood-producing area is within
-Palo Duro Canyon State Park which is, of course, closed to collecting.
-The surrounding area has been worked diligently by local collectors, but
-new pieces of wood are exposed after heavy rains.
-
-Webb and Duval counties have also produced some good fossil wood
-specimens.
-
-
-
-
- Gadolinite
-
-
- _Composition_: Be_2FeY_2Si_2O_1_0. (Various other rare-earth elements
- may substitute into this mineral structure.) _Crystal system_:
- monoclinic. _Hardness_: 6.5 to 7.0. _Specific gravity_: about 4.2.
- _Luster_: vitreous to greasy. _Color_: black; in thin splinters dark
- bottle green. _Streak_: white to greenish. _Cleavage_: none.
- _Fracture_: conchoidal to splintery. _Tenacity_: brittle.
- _Diaphaneity_: opaque to subtransparent in thin pieces. _Refractive
- index_: variable, about 1.77 to 1.82.
-
-Gadolinite as a cut gem is not seen outside of large collections;
-however, it can be faceted into black opaque stones of little beauty but
-of great interest to collectors. The best known locality of this mineral
-in the United States is Baringer Hill, Llano County, Texas.
-Unfortunately, this locality was completely flooded by the completion of
-Buchanan Dam in 1938. Masses and rough crystals of gadolinite weighing
-over 100 pounds were mined from this locality. The gadolinite occurred
-in a large, very coarse-grained pegmatite dike associated with quartz,
-microcline, and fluorite, as well as allanite, fergusonite, nivenite,
-cyrtolite, thorogummite, and various other rare minerals. Some of the
-minerals in the dike occurred in very large masses. One quartz mass over
-40 feet in diameter was noted, and microcline masses up to 30 feet in
-diameter were not uncommon. Much of the gadolinite was used by
-industrial firms as a source of thorium compounds, although some
-specimen and gem material found its way into museums and private
-collections. Because the locality was worked mostly from 1910 to about
-1925 and because since 1938 the waters of Lake Buchanan have completely
-flooded the entire area, material from this locality is now exceedingly
-difficult to obtain. The collection of the Smithsonian Institution,
-Washington, D.C., contains a cut and polished gem of Baringer Hill
-gadolinite that weighs 8.6 carats. This mineral is radioactive because
-of the presence of uranium, thorium, and other rare radioactive
-elements.
-
-
-
-
- Garnet
-
-
-The garnet group of minerals is variable in composition. Listed below
-are the pure members of this group, but garnets found in nature are
-usually a mixture of two or more of these end members.
-
- Aluminum garnet--
- Grossularite (calcium-aluminum garnet), Ca_3Al_2(SiO_4)_3
- Pyrope (magnesium-aluminum garnet), Mg_3Al_2(SiO_4)_3
- Almandite (iron-aluminum garnet), Fe_3Al_2(SiO_4)_3
- Spessartite (manganese-aluminum garnet), Mn_3Al_2(SiO_4)_3
- Iron garnet--
- Andradite (calcium-iron garnet), Ca_3Fe_2(SiO_4)_3; may contain
- magnesium, titanium, and yttrium
- Chromium garnet--
- Uvarovite (calcium-chromium garnet), Ca_3Cr_2(SiO_4)_3
-
-Since almandite is the only variety of garnet known to occur commonly in
-gem quality in Texas, the following properties are for almandite except
-where noted.
-
- _Crystal system_: isometric (all varieties). _Hardness_: about 7.5.
- _Specific gravity_: 4.25. _Luster_: vitreous to resinous. _Color_:
- red, deep red, and brownish red (other varieties also yellow, white,
- orange, pink, black, and green). _Streak_: white. _Cleavage_: none.
- _Fracture_: subconchoidal to uneven. _Tenacity_: brittle to tough.
- _Diaphaneity_: transparent to subtranslucent. _Refractive index_:
- about 1.83.
-
-Good crystals of gem-quality almandite garnet have been found in Llano,
-Blanco, Burnet, and Gillespie counties. In southeast Llano County,
-northwest Blanco County, and northeast Gillespie County, the stones
-mostly occur in stream gravels where they have collected after being
-weathered out of compact mica schists. Owing to the fact that most of
-the garnets have not been transported very far from their source, the
-stones commonly show good crystal form (Pl. II, A). All of the garnets
-from one locality commonly do not have exactly the same crystal form.
-The garnets are mostly widely scattered in the stream gravels but can be
-found concentrated behind rocks and on small gravel bars.
-
-Many of the crystals are less than one-eighth inch in diameter; however,
-good crystals one-fourth to one-half inch in diameter are common. Most
-of the stones are too fractured or have too many inclusions to yield
-gems, but many transparent stones have been found. The transparent
-crystals usually yield flawless deep red faceted stones of 2 carats or
-less. Some of the stones that contain too many inclusions to facet are
-cut as cabochons and are then often known as carbuncle.
-
-Small garnet fragments have been found in streams and in gneisses and
-pegmatites near Castell, Llano County, but they are not commonly of gem
-quality.
-
-Occasional small gem-quality garnets have been found in pegmatites and
-contact metamorphic zones in Burnet County. Garnets have also been found
-in several other counties, notably Mason, El Paso, Hudspeth, and
-Culberson, but no stones of facet quality have been reported.
-
-
-
-
- Jet
-
-
- _Composition_: a variety of brown coal or lignite. _Structure_: woody.
- _Hardness_: 3 to 4. _Specific gravity_: about 1.30 to 1.35. _Luster_:
- dull. _Color_: black, brownish black. _Streak_: brown to brownish
- black. _Cleavage_: none. _Fracture_: uneven to smooth. _Tenacity_:
- tough to slightly brittle. _Diaphaneity_: opaque. Burns with a sooty
- yellowish flame.
-
-Jet is a type of fossil wood in which there has been sufficient chemical
-change to make the wood relatively hard and black without destroying the
-woody structure. The best specimens of jet polish into lustrous black
-cabochons.
-
-Jet occurs in Presidio County as compressed and flattened trunks of
-trees in a thin layer of coal and lignite in Cretaceous strata 100 to
-200 feet stratigraphically below the San Carlos beds.
-
-Specimens of "jet" have been found in some of the lignitic Tertiary
-strata of the Texas Gulf Coastal Plain; however, this material is mostly
-soft, brownish, and not of gem quality.
-
-
-
-
- Labradorite
-
-
- _Composition_: NaAlSi_3O_8, 50% to 30%; CaAl_2Si_2O_8, 50% to 70%.
- _Crystal system_: triclinic. _Hardness_: 6.0 to 6.5. _Specific
- gravity_: about 2.60. _Luster_: vitreous to sometimes pearly. _Color_:
- straw yellow, white, greenish, gray, reddish, bluish, and green.
- Sometimes shows a play of colors on particular cleavage surfaces.
- _Streak_: uncolored. _Cleavage_: three directions. _Fracture_: uneven
- to conchoidal. _Tenacity_: brittle. _Diaphaneity_: transparent to
- translucent. _Refractive index_: about 1.56. _Dispersion_: low.
-
-Very fine facet-quality labradorite has been found about 20 miles south
-of Alpine, Brewster County. The labradorite occurs loose in the soil as
-slightly weathered or frosted cleavage fragments, commonly showing one
-or more crystal faces (Pl. II, B). The pale-yellow or straw-yellow color
-of these fragments, as well as their lack of internal imperfections,
-makes these stones excellent gem material. Individual pieces that exceed
-three-fourths inch in their longest dimensions are rare. Cut stones of
-more than 5 or 6 carats from this locality are scarce. The source of
-this material is uncertain, but it is probably weathering out of an
-underlying igneous rock.
-
-
-
-
- Microcline
-
-
- _Composition_: KAlSi_3O_8. _Crystal system_: triclinic. _Hardness_:
- 6.0 to 6.5. _Specific gravity_: 2.54 to 2.57. _Luster_: vitreous to
- pearly. _Color_: white, pale yellow, red, blue green, bluish.
- _Streak_: white. _Cleavage_: four directions, usually three of these
- distinct. _Fracture_: uneven. _Tenacity_: brittle _Diaphaneity_:
- transparent to translucent. _Refractive index_: about 1.52 to 1.53.
-
-Very fine crystals of blue microcline have been found east of Packsaddle
-Mountain and near Kingsland in Llano County. Crystals exceeding 1 foot
-in length have been found, although most are only a few inches long. The
-color of the microcline is mostly pale blue, but some crystals are
-darker. Microcline crystals associated with milky or vein quartz, smoky
-quartz, some biotite, and rarely cassiterite occur in pegmatite dikes
-which vary in size from a few inches to several feet in thickness. The
-color of this microcline is pale in comparison to microcline from some
-other localities in the United States, but the Texas blue microcline
-does yield pleasing cabochons. Perfect crystals of this material are
-prized by collectors. Blue or greenish microcline is often called
-amazonite or amazon stone.
-
-Bluish microcline associated with quartz and topaz has also been
-reported near Katemcy, Mason County.
-
-Red microcline is common in several central Texas counties and is a
-primary constituent of many of the igneous rocks in those counties.
-Large crystals of perthitic red microcline occur in pegmatite dikes of
-Mason, Llano, Burnet, and Gillespie counties. Any feldspar quarry or
-other pegmatite mining operation in any of these counties is likely to
-contain large red microcline crystals and fragments. Unfortunately, the
-good crystals that may have been present are often shattered by blasting
-during quarrying operations.
-
-Feldspar quarries in northeastern Gillespie County have yielded some
-good red cabochon material as well as good crystals. Here the microcline
-occurs with milky and smoky vein quartz, smoky quartz crystals, clear
-quartz crystals, greenish muscovite, and biotite. Many of the older
-quarries in Gillespie County have not been active for some time, and the
-dumps and quarry walls have been diligently searched by collectors.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 16. Crystal faces on microcline specimen shown in
- Plate III, A.]
-
-Many of the pegmatite dikes near Lake Buchanan in Llano and Burnet
-counties have produced some good red microcline specimens and cutting
-material (Pl. III, A, and fig. 16). Many of these crystals are more
-pinkish than those in Gillespie County, but this is commonly due to the
-fact that the crystal faces of the Lake Buchanan area crystals are
-somewhat more weathered than the fresh Gillespie County crystals.
-
-Numerous other local areas in the counties mentioned, as well as some
-localities in Hudspeth and Culberson counties, have also produced small
-amounts of red and pink microcline of gem quality.
-
-
-
-
- Obsidian
-
-
- _Composition_: volcanic glass. _Structure_: amorphous. _Hardness_: 5.0
- to 5.5. _Specific gravity_: 2.3 to 2.5. _Luster_: vitreous. _Color_:
- black, dark gray, reddish, brown, bluish, and greenish. _Streak_:
- white. _Cleavage_: none. _Fracture_: conchoidal. _Tenacity_: brittle.
- _Diaphaneity_: translucent to nearly opaque. _Refractive index_:
- variable, about 1.45 to 1.53.
-
-Gem-quality black and dark-gray obsidian has been found in Presidio
-County associated with extrusive igneous rocks. The obsidian in this
-area is too opaque to serve as attractive faceted stones but is found in
-pieces of sufficient size and quality to yield nice cabochons. Some of
-the small weathered pieces of this material resemble tektite in outward
-appearance; in fact, the "valverdites" mistaken originally for tektites
-are pebbles of weathered obsidian in terrace gravel of Val Verde County.
-Obsidian takes a high polish but is very sensitive to heat. Stones that
-are slightly overheated during grinding or sanding will quickly shatter.
-
-Obsidian of gem quality has been reported also in Brewster County.
-
-
-
-
- Opal
-
-
- _Composition_: SiO_2nH_2O. _Structure_: amorphous. _Hardness_: 5.5 to
- 6.5. _Specific gravity_: 1.9 to 2.3. _Luster_: subvitreous to pearly.
- _Color_: white, bluish, pink, brown, yellow, and gray. _Streak_:
- white. _Cleavage_: none. _Fracture_: conchoidal. _Tenacity_: brittle.
- _Diaphaneity_: transparent to nearly opaque. _Refractive index_: 1.43.
-
-Opal other than as fossil or opalized wood (pp. 20-21) occurs at the
-following several localities in Texas.
-
-Approximately 16 miles south of Alpine, Brewster County, precious opal
-occurs in very small seams and as cavity fillings in very hard
-pinkish-brown rhyolite. This opal is milky or bluish and commonly
-exhibits small flashes of blue, green, red, and orange fire. Individual
-pieces of this opal are mostly quite small, rarely over one-fourth inch
-in diameter, and very difficult to remove from the tough rhyolite
-matrix. Local lapidaries have cut interesting cabochons from this
-material in which several small patches of opal that are close together
-in the matrix are included in the same cabochon.
-
-Small finds of opal associated with rhyolites and basalts have come from
-other localities in west Texas, but the opal mostly does not display
-enough play of colors to warrant its use as gem material.
-
-Near Freer, Duval County, some very attractive common opal has been
-found. The opal is colored various shades of pink, blue, and yellow and
-in certain local areas occurs as fragments that are cemented together by
-clear chalcedony. Various colors are commonly found in the same piece,
-and such material yields handsome cabochons. Although the area has never
-been worked commercially, it has been hunted by collectors and cutters
-for several years.
-
-
-
-
- Pearl
-
-
-Pearls are the result of the secretion of calcium carbonate by various
-shellfish around sand grains, parasitic organisms, shell fragments, or
-other foreign objects that have in some way entered the body cavity of
-the shellfish. Since the shellfish is unable to expel these irritating
-particles or organisms, it deposits successive layers of calcium
-carbonate around the foreign substance to make it smoother and less
-irritating. Although pearls are principally calcium carbonate, they also
-contain small amounts of an organic substance, called conchiolin, and
-water. Pearls are found in shellfish that live in either fresh or salt
-water. Few pearls are spherical in shape; most are rounded but somewhat
-irregular and are known as baroque pearls. Good quality pearls are the
-only gemstone commonly sold by the grain, a unit of weight equal to 0.25
-carat or 0.05 gram. The pearl grain is not the same unit of weight as
-the Troy grain.
-
-In Texas, pearls have been found in fresh-water clams in most of the
-major rivers and streams, notably in the Brazos, Concho, Colorado,
-Guadalupe, Llano, Nueces, Sabine, Rio Grande, and Trinity Rivers.
-Several Texas lakes have also yielded pearls, notably Caddo Lake and
-other lakes in north-central and northeast Texas.
-
-Small pearls are frequently found along the Texas Gulf Coast in edible
-oysters and other common shellfish. Fossil pearls have also been found
-but because of their darkened appearance are of value only as
-curiosities.
-
-The pearls thus far found in Texas have been of relatively poor quality
-and show little or no iridescence. These pearls have little value except
-as curiosities, although one writer has stated that the discovery of
-pearls in the Nueces River led to the original Spanish settlement of the
-State (Baker, 1935, p. 569).
-
-
-
-
- Quartz
-
-
- _Composition_: SiO_2. _Crystal system_: hexagonal. _Hardness_: 7.
- _Specific gravity_: 2.65 to 2.66 in crystals. _Luster_: vitreous, also
- waxy, greasy, and dull. _Color_: most often colorless, brown, yellow,
- violet; sometimes green, red, blue, and black; cryptocrystalline
- varieties often variously colored by impurities. _Streak_: white.
- _Cleavage_: indistinct. _Fracture_: conchoidal to splintery.
- _Tenacity_: brittle to tough. _Diaphaneity_: transparent to opaque.
- _Refractive index_: 1.544 to 1.553.
-
-The quartz family gemstones can be divided into two groups for purposes
-of description. The first group is the crystalline varieties, or those
-quartz varieties that commonly occur in distinct crystals. The second
-group is the cryptocrystalline varieties, or those quartz varieties that
-occur as irregular masses that are composed of many microscopic
-crystals. The crystalline varieties are usually much more transparent
-and are most often seen as faceted stones. The cryptocrystalline
-varieties vary from subtransparent to opaque and are almost always cut
-as cabochons.
-
-
-
-
- CRYSTALLINE VARIETIES
-
-
-_Amethyst_ (violet to purple-colored quartz).--A northeastern Gillespie
-County locality known as Amethyst Hill has produced quite a number of
-fine light to medium violet amethyst crystals which occur in quartz
-veins and geodes associated with serpentine and talc. Many crystals have
-been found loose in the soil.
-
-The amethyst tends to be very irregularly colored in zones parallel to
-the crystal faces. In many, the base of the crystal is colorless or
-white and only the termination is violet. Crystals up to 3 inches long
-have been found at this locality, but the average size is much less.
-
-The surface at this locality is almost entirely depleted of amethyst,
-with only an occasional small crystal or fragment to be seen. However,
-small excavations are still sometimes productive.
-
-Good groups of pale amethyst crystals have been found in quartz veins
-near the old town site of Oxford, Llano County. The occurrence seems to
-be much the same as the Amethyst Hill locality. Little exploration for
-gemstones has been done in this area, and future discoveries seem
-likely.
-
-Chalcedony geodes lined with amethyst crystals have been found in
-Brewster, Presidio, Culberson, and Hudspeth counties, but the
-occurrences are scattered. The crystals are seldom large enough to yield
-gems of more than 3 carats and are mostly very light colored.
-
-A few pieces of gem-quality amethyst have been found in Burnet County.
-
-_Citrine_ (yellow quartz).--Very little gem-quality citrine has been
-reported in Texas. Some small citrine crystals have been found at
-Amethyst Hill in northeastern Gillespie County, but few are of
-sufficient size or color to yield good gems.
-
-The writer has seen one citrine crystal that was found in the gravels of
-a small stream in eastern Llano County near Buchanan Dam. The crystal
-weighs about 1 ounce and is perfectly clear, light golden yellow, and
-flawless. However, a further search of the stream gravels failed to
-produce any other citrines.
-
-_Rock crystal_ (colorless quartz).--Numerous localities in Texas produce
-this colorless variety of quartz, which is the most common variety of
-facet quality quartz and consequently is of little value.
-
-Rock crystal occurs at many localities in Burnet, Llano, and Mason
-counties. The crystals mostly occur in pegmatite dikes or in stream
-gravels where they have been weathered out of their parent rock. Some
-fine colorless quartz crystals have been found near Voca, Mason County,
-in weathered pegmatite dikes and also loose in the sands of nearby
-streams. Crystals from this locality are often stained with reddish iron
-oxide on their outer surfaces. Some of the rock crystal found near
-Katemcy, Mason County, shows asterism when cut with the proper
-orientation. Fine clear colorless crystals up to 8 inches long have been
-found in the pegmatite dikes near Lake Buchanan in both Llano and Burnet
-counties. Several localities near Enchanted Rock in Llano County have
-also produced some good colorless crystals.
-
-Feldspar quarries in large pegmatites in northeastern Gillespie County
-have yielded attractive quartz crystals, some of which contain smoky
-phantom crystals and tourmaline inclusions.
-
-Some pieces of rock crystal enclosing green, needle-like actinolite
-crystals have been found near the Llano-Gillespie-Blanco County corner.
-This material is not suitable for faceted gems but does lend itself to
-interesting and attractive cabochons.
-
-Colorless quartz crystals commonly are found lining small chalcedony
-geodes in Brewster, Presidio, Culberson, Hudspeth, Reeves, and Jeff
-Davis counties. These crystals are most commonly less than 1 inch long
-but are mostly very clear.
-
-Rock crystal has been found in crevices of petrified wood in many east
-and southeast Texas counties, although the crystals are mostly quite
-small.
-
-Many lesser occurrences of rock crystal, too numerous to mention, are
-located within the State.
-
-_Rose quartz_ (pink quartz).--Rose quartz occurs at various localities
-in Burnet, Llano, Mason, and Gillespie counties, but the amount of
-material is mostly small and the greater part unsuitable for gem
-purposes. Some good pink rose quartz occurs near Town Mountain, Llano
-County, but this material does not have flawless areas large enough to
-yield faceted stones of more than a few carats. Rose quartz is always
-slightly milky, or cloudy, and does not cut into brilliant faceted
-stones. The Town Mountain rose quartz has been cut into attractive
-cabochons.
-
-_Smoky quartz_ (brown, yellow-brown, and golden-brown quartz).--Several
-Texas localities have produced fine smoky quartz. Baringer Hill, a noted
-rare-earth minerals pegmatite locality in Llano County, contained some
-smoky quartz crystals that were estimated to weigh over 1,000 pounds,
-and the locality produced many smaller crystals that were of gem
-quality. Baringer Hill was flooded by the completion of Buchanan Dam in
-1938 and is presently under the waters of Lake Buchanan. A few fine
-golden-brown gem-quality crystals have been found along the lake shore
-and in small pegmatites nearby (Pl. III, B.).
-
-Feldspar quarries in northeastern Gillespie County have produced smoky
-quartz crystals that exceed 1 foot in length, but these crystals are
-mostly flawed, possibly as a result of blasting, and mostly contain only
-small clear areas.
-
-Good color smoky quartz crystals are found with topaz in the pegmatites
-and stream beds in Mason County, near Streeter, Grit, and Katemcy. These
-crystals tend to be lighter colored than those near Lake Buchanan, but
-they commonly contain large flawless areas.
-
-
-
-
- CRYPTOCRYSTALLINE VARIETIES
-
-
-_Chalcedony._--When free from impurities of various oxides and other
-compounds, chalcedony has little to render it pleasing as a gemstone. It
-is mostly gray, white, brown, or bluish and commonly has a waxy luster.
-Some of the chalcedony found along the Rio Grande Valley and in west
-Texas will take dyes, and local lapidaries have had some success in
-dyeing this material various shades of blue, green, yellow, and red.
-When the chalcedony is naturally colored and variegated, usually in
-bands, mossy figures, or dendritic forms, it is called agate.
-
-_Agate_ (variegated chalcedony).--The wide variety of markings and
-colors available together with the ease of cutting make agate a favorite
-of many lapidaries. Fine agate has been found at numerous localities in
-west and south Texas. Fine plume agate, famous throughout the United
-States, is found south of Alpine. Plume agate is characterized by
-dendritic or tree-like inclusions and is mostly cut into very handsome
-cabochons. The agate from south of Alpine commonly contains black, red,
-yellow, or brown plumes within the same piece. The variety of colors and
-lack of porosity of this agate make it highly desired among lapidaries.
-The agate occurs loose on the surface of the ground and in the soil in
-small nodules that have a very rough, brownish surface. These nodules
-are mostly less than 3 inches in diameter, although specimens of gem
-quality have been found that exceed 200 pounds.
-
-Some very fine agate has been found in the vicinity of Needle Peak,
-Presidio County. This material is mostly green moss agate in clear
-chalcedony and commonly contains small yellow "sun-burst" figures. The
-contrasting yellow and green design makes very beautiful cabochons.
-
-Fine agate has been found south of Marfa, Presidio County. This agate is
-mostly clear chalcedony with black, yellow, or variously colored plumes,
-moss, or "bouquet-like" figures.
-
-Numerous other localities in Presidio and Brewster counties have
-produced good agate.
-
-Various amounts of agate, jasper, and chalcedony occur in the gravels of
-the Rio Grande in varying quantities from Big Bend National Park
-downstream to Brownsville. This agate is found both in the present river
-gravels and in the older river gravels that now are located on nearby
-hills and slopes up to several miles north or south of the present Rio
-Grande. The greatest concentration of agate and related gem materials
-seems to be in the area between Laredo and Rio Grande City. Vast
-quantities of excellent gem material have been removed from this area
-for many years (Pl. IV). The agate occurs as rounded, stream-worn
-cobbles and commonly has a thin white coating that makes it difficult to
-distinguish from the abundant chert and other rocks. The agate occurs in
-cobbles that are mostly 3 to 6 inches in diameter, but specimens of gem
-quality that exceed twice this size are known. The agate varies greatly
-in design and color. Plume, moss, banded, and sagenitic agate occur in
-these gravels in a wide variety of colors. The jasper in the Rio Grande
-gravels is yellow, red, green, or various shades of these and is
-commonly suspended as angular fragments in clear chalcedony.
-
-Good agate has also been found near Balmorhea in Reeves and Jeff Davis
-counties and in smaller amounts at numerous other west and south Texas
-localities.
-
-_Agatized wood_ (_see_ Fossil wood, pp. 20-21).
-
-_Carnelian_ (translucent reddish chalcedony).--This variety of
-chalcedony in small quantities has been reported from near Van Horn,
-Hudspeth County. Small pieces of carnelian have been found in the
-gravels of the Rio Grande, but finds have been few and scattered.
-
-_Jasper_ (impure opaque or subtranslucent quartz).--Good green, yellow,
-red, and brown jasper has been found in the gravels of the Rio Grande at
-all of the localities that produce agate. The colors are quite vivid,
-and the material takes a fine polish. Some pieces of orbicular jasper
-(jasper with circular or eye-like markings) have been found in this
-material. These gravels commonly contain jasper as fragments that are
-suspended in clear chalcedony; this is called brecciated jasper and
-yields very handsome cabochons.
-
-Many of the west Texas agate localities also produce jasper in quantity.
-Good jasper has been reported from north of Brackettville, Kinney
-County. Jasper is a minor constituent of the stream gravels in many
-parts of the State.
-
-
-
-
- Sanidine
-
-
- _Composition_: KAlSi_3O_8; commonly contains some sodium. _Crystal
- system_: monoclinic. _Hardness_: 6. _Specific gravity_: 2.57 to 2.58.
- _Luster_: vitreous to pearly. _Color_: colorless, white, pale yellow,
- and gray. _Streak_: uncolored. _Cleavage_: three directions.
- _Fracture_: conchoidal to uneven. _Tenacity_: brittle. _Diaphaneity_:
- transparent to subtranslucent. _Refractive index_: 1.52 to 1.53.
-
-Some feldspars, including sanidine, show a nice blue sheen in reflected
-light parallel to certain crystallographic directions. Stones having
-this property are called moonstone. A clear yellowish sanidine showing
-an attractive blue sheen has been found in Brewster, Jeff Davis, and
-Presidio counties. The individual pieces are small, the average size
-being about one-eighth inch. The sanidine is found loose in the soil at
-some localities where it has weathered out of rhyolite, and specimens of
-the sanidine in the parent rock are not difficult to obtain. Very small
-cabochons can be cut from this material, but few lapidaries have done so
-because inexpensive larger pieces of moonstone can be obtained easily
-from foreign sources. However, the west Texas sanidine does show a blue
-sheen when cut and polished.
-
-
-
-
- Spinel
-
-
- _Composition_: MgAl_2O_4 (magnesium may be replaced in part by ferrous
- iron or manganese and the aluminum by ferric iron and chromium).
- _Crystal system_: isometric. _Hardness_: 8. _Specific gravity_: 3.5 to
- 4.1. _Luster_: vitreous to sub-metallic. _Color_: black, pink, red,
- blue, green, yellow, brown, and violet. _Streak_: white. _Cleavage_:
- one direction, imperfect. _Fracture_: conchoidal. _Tenacity_: brittle.
- _Diaphaneity_: transparent to opaque. _Refractive index_: variable,
- approximately 1.72 to 2.00.
-
-In many areas of the world, fine quality, beautifully colored,
-transparent spinels are found and used as gems. The only gem-quality
-spinel reported thus far in Texas is black and opaque. Near Eagle Flat
-in Hudspeth County, black spinel crystals have been found associated
-with augite and natural glass; these minerals are weathering out of an
-intrusive igneous rock. The spinel crystals have an octahedral form
-which is common for this mineral (fig. 17). Most of the spinels are free
-of flaws, but because of their black color they have little value as
-gems. The crystals are found loose in the sand of streams near the
-outcrops of the igneous rock or embedded in the rock. They seldom exceed
-half an inch in diameter. These stones are primarily sought by
-collectors.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 17. Common crystal form of spinel.]
-
-
-
-
- Tektite (Bediasite)
-
-
- _Composition_: A natural glass, approximately 75% SiO_2, 15% Al_2O_3,
- 4% FeO, also MgO, Na_2O, K_2O, and traces of other elements. _Crystal
- structure_: amorphous. _Hardness_: 5 to 6. _Specific gravity_: 2.33 to
- 2.44. _Luster_: vitreous, often dull on weathered surfaces. _Color_:
- dark brown, greenish brown, appears black in thick sections. _Streak_:
- uncolored. _Cleavage_: none. _Fracture_: conchoidal. _Tenacity_:
- brittle. _Diaphaneity_: transparent to subtransparent. _Refractive
- index_: 1.488 to 1.512.
-
-The average bediasite size is about 1 inch in diameter, although
-specimens approximately 3 inches in diameter are known. The uncut
-tektites are very interesting, showing a variety of shapes and surface
-features (Pl. V, A) and many exhibit contorted flow structure. The
-surface of many tektites is grooved or furrowed, while on others it is
-smooth or frosted. The Texas tektites are known as "bediasites," after
-place names in Grimes County traceable to the Bedias Indians who
-formerly lived there.
-
-Dark brown and greenish-brown tektites have been found in Texas in
-gravels at scattered localities in Walker, Grimes, Brazos, Burleson,
-Lee, Fayette, Gonzales, Lavaca, and DeWitt counties. Outside of Texas
-the only other authenticated tektite localities in the United States at
-the present time are in Dodge and Irwin counties, Georgia. A fragment of
-a similar tektite has recently been reported from near Martha's
-Vineyard, Massachusetts. The tektites reported from Oklahoma are now
-known to be pebbles of obsidian.
-
-Although tektites have little value or beauty as gemstones, they have
-been cut by lapidaries as both faceted and cabochon stones. Tektites
-take a high polish but are mostly so dark in color that they appear
-black.
-
-The origin of tektites is of great scientific interest and is currently
-the subject of much debate. Some scientists believe that tektites are of
-meteoritic origin, while others believe that tektites were formed by
-various terrestrial processes. Since no one has actually observed a
-tektite to fall or form, and many of the theories of origin are
-difficult to prove without direct observation, the origin of tektites is
-likely to remain in controversy for some time.
-
-
-
-
- Topaz
-
-
- _Composition_: Al_2(F, OH)_2SiO_4. _Crystal system_: orthorhombic.
- _Hardness_: 8. _Specific gravity_: 3.4 to 3.6. _Luster_: vitreous.
- _Color_: pale blue, sky blue, greenish, white, wine yellow, straw
- yellow, grayish, pink, reddish, and orange. _Streak_: uncolored.
- _Cleavage_: one direction, basal, highly perfect. _Fracture_:
- conchoidal to uneven. _Tenacity_: brittle. _Diaphaneity_: transparent
- to subtranslucent. _Refractive index_: about 1.60 to 1.63.
- _Dispersion_: moderate.
-
-Various yellow and smoky colored quartz gems are offered for sale as
-"Spanish Topaz," "Smoky Topaz," "Madeira Topaz," and "Topaz Quartz."
-These names are entirely misleading and should be dropped from usage.
-
-Fine gem-quality white, pale-blue, and sky-blue topaz has been found
-near Streeter, Grit, and Katemcy, Mason County. This Texas gem material
-compares favorably in color, size, and clarity with topaz found anywhere
-in the United States. Fine crystals of topaz (Pl. V, B, and fig. 18)
-occasionally are found in pegmatite dikes associated with quartz, black
-tourmaline, cassiterite, and pink microcline. Many of the gem-bearing
-pegmatites have been eroded away, leaving the topaz concentrated in the
-stream beds. The stones mostly occur as frosted, stream-worn pebbles
-(Pl. VI, A) in the numerous small creeks in the area. The topaz is
-heavier than the quartz and microcline that compose the stream gravel
-and is commonly found immediately on top of the granite bed-rock in the
-bottom of the stream bed. The stones tend to lodge behind boulders or
-small dikes cutting across the stream.
-
- [Illustration: Fig. 18. Crystal faces on topaz crystal shown in Plate
- V, B. This crystal habit is typical of the topaz from Mason County.]
-
-The white or colorless stones are by far the most common, outnumbering
-the bluish stones about ten to one. The color of the blue stones tends
-to be irregularly distributed in zones parallel to the crystal faces.
-Topaz that is colored in this manner should be cut with the best blue
-color near the bottom or culet of the gem (fig. 19). If done correctly,
-this will give the entire gemstone the desirable blue color.
-
-[Illustration: Fig. 19. Cross section showing the proper orientation of
- dark-color zone in a gem cut from an irregularly colored stone.]
-
- COLORLESS
- BLUE
-
-The colorless stones can be turned pale yellow, yellowish brown, or
-straw yellow by exposure to X-ray radiation, and some of the bluish
-stones will fluoresce faintly yellowish under ultra-violet light.
-
-The largest gem-quality topaz crystal yet found in North America has
-come from Mason County. It is a pale-blue crystal weighing 1,296 grams,
-now in the collection of the U.S. National Museum. Several other large
-pieces, some weighing over a pound, have been found. One large crystal,
-exact weight unknown, was found near Katemcy. Several gem cutters have
-estimated that this stone could easily yield a single, flawless
-pale-blue gem of about 500 carats. Many large gems have been cut from
-topaz found in this area, including at least one stone of over 300
-carats.
-
-One obstacle in the cutting of topaz is its perfect basal cleavage. The
-gemstone should be oriented so that no facet of the stone will be
-parallel to or within less than about 5 degrees of the cleavage
-direction, or the facet may be very difficult or impossible to polish.
-
-It is difficult to estimate the productivity of this area since its
-discovery in the early 1900's. Few systematic attempts have been made to
-exploit the deposits, and a great amount of the topaz thus far recovered
-has been found by private collectors. The Mason County topaz deposits
-are still very productive, and additional exploration may uncover even
-more gem-producing areas.
-
-Topaz has also been found in stream gravels or pegmatites in Burnet,
-Llano, Gillespie, and El Paso counties but very rarely in gem quality.
-
-
-
-
- Tourmaline
-
-
- _Composition_: H_9Al_3(BOH)_2Si_4O_1_9; hydrogen often replaced by
- iron, magnesium, calcium, or fluorine. _Crystal system_: hexagonal.
- _Hardness_: 7 to 7.5. _Specific gravity_: 2.98 to 3.20. _Luster_:
- vitreous to resinous. _Color_: black, brownish black, brown, blue,
- green, red, pink, yellow, and gray. _Streak_: uncolored. _Cleavage_:
- two directions, very imperfect. _Fracture_: subconchoidal to uneven.
- _Tenacity_: brittle. _Diaphaneity_: transparent to opaque. _Refractive
- index_: about 1.62 to 1.64.
-
-Black tourmaline is schorl; brown tourmaline, dravite.
-
-Good crystals of black and dark brown tourmaline occur at Town Mountain
-near Llano, Llano County. The tourmaline crystals average about 1 inch
-in length, do not commonly exceed 2 inches, and are associated with
-white vein quartz. The quartz completely encloses the tourmaline, but
-the crystals can be broken free or the quartz can be trimmed away with
-the use of a diamond saw. The latter procedure is recommended whenever
-possible, for it is very easy to shatter the tourmaline crystals while
-trying to remove them from the quartz by other means. Many of the
-crystals are completely unsuitable for cutting, being too brittle or too
-badly cracked and flawed. However, some small crystals have been found
-that are of sufficient quality and size to yield flawless stones of a
-few carats. Few of these stones have been cut since the tourmaline is so
-dark that it appears opaque, and few persons find a gem of this nature
-attractive.
-
-Good black and dark brown crystals of tourmaline associated with
-andalusite and graphite occur in the Packsaddle schist (Precambrian)
-near Sunrise Beach, Llano County (Pl. VI, B, and fig. 20). Although
-generally smaller in diameter than the crystals found at Town Mountain,
-they commonly exceed 3 inches in length, although the average size is a
-little over 1 inch. Many of these crystals are suitable for cutting into
-opaque or nearly opaque stones of about 5 or 6 carats.
-
-Black tourmaline has also been found in Hudspeth and Culberson counties
-but not of sufficient quality to be used as a gemstone.
-
-[Illustration: Fig. 20. Common crystal form of Llano County tourmaline.]
-
-
-
-
- Turquoise
-
-
- _Composition_: hydrous phosphate of aluminum and copper. _Crystal
- system_: triclinic. _Hardness_: 5 to 6. _Specific gravity_: variable,
- 2.6 to about 2.8. _Luster_: dull, sometimes waxy. _Color_: sky blue to
- greenish blue. _Streak_: white to greenish. _Cleavage_: none in
- massive material, two directions in crystals. _Fracture_: conchoidal
- to subconchoidal. _Tenacity_: brittle. _Diaphaneity_: subtranslucent
- to opaque. _Refractive index_: 1.61 to 1.65.
-
-Turquoise of good sky-blue to greenish-blue color has been found a few
-miles southwest of Van Horn, Culberson County. Several shallow pits were
-dug at this locality about 1910; however, the amount of turquoise
-produced was small. The main occurrence of the turquoise was in seams
-about 1 millimeter thick along joints in the fine-grained rocks of this
-area. Persons who have visited Culberson County more recently report
-that even minute traces of the turquoise are now difficult to find at
-the old prospect pits. However, further prospecting in the area might
-yield some additional localities.
-
-Small amounts of turquoise have been reported near El Paso, El Paso
-County, and also in volcanic rocks near the Jeff Davis-Brewster County
-line, north of Alpine.
-
-A small amount of turquoise has been mined from several localities a few
-miles northwest of Sierra Blanca in the Sierra Blanca Mountains of
-Hudspeth County.
-
-
-
-
- GLOSSARY
-
-
- Amorphous--without definite molecular structure; not crystalline.
- Baroque stone--an irregularly shaped, polished stone; usually applied
- to tumbled stones.
- Baroque pearl--an irregularly shaped pearl.
- Brilliancy--reflecting much light; having brightness.
- Brilliant cut--a mode of arrangement of facets commonly used on round
- or oval stones. The standard American brilliant cut has 57 or
- 58 facets. Most diamonds of 5 or less carats are cut in this
- manner.
- Cabochon--a stone cut with a flat or convex upper surface; sometimes
- faceted in part. Opal, star sapphire, and agate are stones
- that are frequently cut in this style (fig. 2).
- Cambrian--a division of geologic time, estimated to be the time from
- 550 to 440 million years ago; the oldest time division of the
- Paleozoic era.
- Carat--a unit of weight equal to 1/5 of a gram or 0.2 gram. One ounce
- avoirdupois is equal to 141.75 carats.
- Cleavage--the tendency of certain minerals to split in particular
- directions yielding relatively smooth plane surfaces.
- Conchiolin--an organic albuminoid substance found in pearls.
- Conchoidal--a type of fracture having curved concavities or the
- approximate shape of one-half of a bivalve shell. Glass has
- excellent conchoidal fracture.
- Cretaceous--a division of geologic time, estimated to be the time from
- 135 to 60 million years ago; youngest division of the Mesozoic
- era.
- Crown--that portion of a faceted gem above the girdle; the upper
- portion of a facet-cut gem (fig. 6).
- Cryptocrystalline--composed of very fine or microscopic crystals.
- Crystal--the regular polyhedral form, bounded by plane surfaces, that
- is assumed by a mineral under suitable conditions. Crystals
- have definite external symmetry and internal molecular order.
- Crystalline--possessing definite internal molecular order; not
- amorphous.
- Cubic--in the general shape of a cube. The isometric crystal system is
- often called the cubic system.
- Culet--the very bottom portion of a faceted gem; the point or line
- formed by the intersection of the lowest pavilion facets (fig.
- 6).
- Dendritic--branching or tree-like in form.
- Diaphaneity--relative transparency. The diaphaneity of a mineral is
- described as transparent, translucent, opaque, etc.
- Dike--a tabular rock body, usually igneous in origin, which cuts
- across the surrounding rock strata.
- Dispersion--a measure of the ability of gemstones to separate complex
- or white light into its component colors; often illustrated
- with a prism. Gemstones that are capable of separating colors
- of light widely are said to have high dispersion; gemstones
- not so capable of separating white light into colors are said
- to have low dispersion.
- Dopping--the act of cementing a gemstone, either rough or partly
- finished, to a dop-stick.
- Dop-stick--the wooden stick or cylindrical piece of metal to which a
- gemstone is cemented to facilitate handling during cutting and
- polishing.
- Dop-wax--the agent or cement used to secure a gemstone to a dop-stick.
- Emerald cut--a rectangular or square faceted stone with beveled
- corners whose surfaces are covered with several series of
- rectangular facets.
- Eocene--a division of geologic time, estimated to be the time from 50
- to 40 million years ago; one of the older divisions of the
- Cenozoic era.
- Extrusive rock--igneous rock that has been extruded or forced out onto
- the earth's surface.
- Facet--a single plane polished surface on a faceted gem.
- Facet head--a device used in the cutting and polishing of faceted
- gems; used to control the placement of facets and their
- relative angles (fig. 7).
- Facet table--the equipment used in the cutting and polishing of
- faceted gems and the table on which most of the equipment is
- mounted (fig. 7).
- Feldspar--a group of closely related silicate minerals including
- orthoclase, microcline, sanidine, plagioclase, labradorite,
- and others.
- Fire--the reflections of variously colored light from a precious opal;
- also the different colors of light reflected from a faceted
- gem owing to the dispersion of the mineral.
- Fracture--the texture of a freshly broken surface other than a
- cleavage surface, described as conchoidal, even, splintery,
- etc.
- Gem--a cut and polished gemstone.
- Gemology--the science dealing with the study of gemstones.
- Gemstone--a mineral suitable for cutting into a gem; the term
- gemstones is frequently used collectively to include both cut
- and polished stones and rough stones.
- Geode--a rounded or spherical rock cavity; commonly lined with
- crystals.
- Girdle--the portion of a faceted gem separating the crown from the
- pavilion; the girdle may or may not be polished and usually
- contains about 2 percent of the total depth of the gem (fig.
- 6).
- Gneiss--a coarse-grained metamorphic rock having segregations of
- granular and platy minerals that give it a more or less banded
- appearance without well-developed schistosity.
- Grain (pearl grain)--a unit of weight equal to 0.05 gram or 0.25
- carat; not the same as the Troy grain.
- Granite--a granular igneous rock composed mostly of quartz, feldspar,
- and commonly mica and/or hornblende.
- Hexagonal--having six angles and six sides; a crystal system in which
- the crystal faces are referred to four intersecting axes;
- three of these axes are equal, lie in the same plane, and
- intersect at angles of 60 degrees; the fourth axis is
- perpendicular to the other three.
- Igneous rock--rock formed by solidification from a hot melt.
- Index of refraction--a measure of the relative ability of a gemstone
- to "bend" incident light rays; sine of the angle of incidence
- of a light ray divided by the sine of the angle of refraction.
- Intrusive rock--rock that has been pushed (usually in a molten state)
- among pre-existing rock strata, commonly along faults or
- fissures. Intrusive rocks do not reach the earth's surface but
- are commonly exposed at the surface by later erosion.
- Isometric--a crystal system in which the crystal faces are referred to
- three equal intersecting axes at right angles to each other.
- Lap--a disc-shaped piece of metal or other material which is
- impregnated with diamond dust, or some other cutting or
- polishing agent, that is revolved while the gemstone is worked
- against it.
- Lap plate--a metal plate to which a cutting or polishing lap is
- attached, usually by means of a threaded bolt and wing nut.
- The lap plate is attached to the shaft which is turned by the
- motor under the facet table.
- Lapidary--one who practices the lapidary arts; a gem cutter.
- Limestone--a sedimentary rock composed mostly of calcium carbonate.
- Luster--the appearance of the freshly broken or unweathered surface of
- a mineral in reflected light (p. 5).
- Main facet--as applied to the standard American brilliant cut, one of
- the first eight facets cut on either the crown or pavilion of
- a gem (fig. 6).
- Matrix--the material in which a specific mineral is embedded; also the
- rock to which one end of a crystal is attached.
- Metamorphic rock--rock that has been changed from its original state
- by heat, pressure, chemical action, or some combination of
- these factors.
- Millimeter--^1/_1_0 centimeter; approximately ^1/_2_5 inch.
- Mineralogy--the science concerned with the study of minerals,
- including their occurrence, composition, forms, properties,
- and structure.
- Monoclinic--a crystal system in which the crystal faces are described
- in relation to three intersecting unequal axes, two of which
- are at right angles and the third inclined.
- Oligocene--a division of geologic time, estimated to be the time from
- 40 to 28 million years ago; part of the Cenozoic era.
- Opaque--does not transmit light.
- Orbicular--containing orbs or spherical or eye-like markings or
- structures.
- Orthorhombic--a crystal system in which crystal faces are referred to
- three unequal intersecting axes at right angles.
- Pavilion--the portion of a faceted gem below the girdle (fig. 6).
- Pegmatite--a body of coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock, commonly
- lens or dike shaped.
- Perthitic--a plaid-patterned structure resulting from intermixture of
- soda- and potash-rich feldspars.
- Phantom crystal--a crystal outline seen within another crystal, mostly
- due to entrapping of inclusions during the crystal's growth.
- Pleochroism--the property of transmitting different colors of light in
- different crystallographic directions.
- Point--a unit of weight equal to ^1/_1_0_0 (0.01) carat.
- Porous--containing pores or void spaces.
- Precambrian--a division of geologic time, estimated to be all of
- geologic time prior to 550 million years ago; the time before
- the Paleozoic era.
- Preform--a gemstone that has been ground to a rough outline of the
- finished shape of a gem.
- Rhyolite--a fine-grained extrusive or shallow intrusive igneous rock
- of approximately the same composition as granite.
- Rough--uncut, not worked by a lapidary, not cut and polished.
- Schist--a metamorphic rock that contains an abundance of oriented
- platy minerals that enable the rock to be split with relative
- ease parallel to the flat surfaces of the platy minerals.
- Silicified--replaced by or containing a large amount of quartz or
- silica.
- Skill facet--a term often used for the pavilion girdle facets of the
- standard American brilliant cut (fig. 6).
- Specific gravity--the weight in air divided by the loss of weight in
- water at a given temperature, or the weight of an object in
- air divided by the weight of an equal volume of water; also
- called relative density; the most commonly used standard
- temperature for this measurement is 4 C. or 39.2 F.
- Star facet--one of the eight facets surrounding the table facet of a
- standard American brilliant cut (fig. 6).
- Step cut--a mode of faceting in which the surface of the gem is
- covered by a series of square or rectangular facets; stones
- thusly cut are usually square, rectangular, or irregular with
- straight sides in outline.
- Streak--the color of a mineral when finely powdered; usually
- determined by rubbing the mineral against a piece of unglazed
- porcelain.
- Symmetry--the number, location, and balanced arrangement of crystal
- faces in reference to the crystallographic axes or other
- crystallographic planes or directions.
- Synthetic gem--a gemstone manufactured by man that has approximately
- the same chemical composition and properties as a natural
- gemstone.
- Table facet--the large horizontal facet found on the crown of many
- gems, often called simply the table (fig. 6).
- Tenacity--the resistance of minerals to breakage, described by such
- terms as malleable, ductile, sectile, and brittle (p. 6).
- Termination--the end of a crystal that is completely enclosed by
- crystal faces, the crystal end that is not attached to the
- matrix.
- Tertiary--a division of geologic time, estimated to be the time from
- 60 to 1 million years ago; the Tertiary includes the
- Paleocene, Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene, and Pliocene epochs
- (from oldest to youngest).
- Tetragonal--having four angles; a crystal system in which the crystal
- faces are referred to three axes at right angles to each
- other, two of which are equal and the third longer or shorter.
- Translucent--allowing the passage of light but diffusing it
- sufficiently so that objects on the other side cannot be
- clearly distinguished.
- Transparent--clear, allowing free passage of light so that objects on
- the other side can be readily distinguished; opposite of
- opaque.
- Triclinic--a crystal system in which the crystal faces are referred to
- three unequal axes, none of which are at right angles.
- Tumbling--a process of polishing irregularly shaped gemstones (p. 17).
- Vein--a tabular, irregular, or twisting mineral deposit that is thin
- in relation to its length and breadth, usually the result of
- solution or hydrothermal activity.
- Vitreous--having luster, general appearance, or physical properties
- similar to glass.
- Vug--an unfilled rock cavity, commonly lined with crystals; may later
- become filled by minerals owing to solution or hydrothermal
- activity.
-
-
-
-
- SELECTED REFERENCES
-
-
-Anderson, B. W. (1948) Gem testing: Emerson, New York.
-
-Baker, C. L. (1935) Metallic and non-metallic minerals and ores
-(precious stones), _in_ The geology of Texas, Vol. II, Structural and
-economic geology: Univ. Texas Bull. 3401, Jan. 1, 1934, pp. 568-569.
-
-Barnes, V. E. (1940) North American tektites: Univ. Texas Pub. 3945,
-Dec. 1, 1939, pp. 477-582.
-
-Dake, H. C., Fleener, F. L., and Wilson, B. H. (1938) Quartz family
-minerals: Whittlesey House, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York.
-
-Ford, W. E. (1932) A textbook of mineralogy (4th ed.): John Wiley and
-Sons, Inc., New York.
-
-Kraus, E. H., and Slawson, C. B. (1947) Gems and gem materials (5th
-ed.): McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New York.
-
-Kunz, G. F. (1892) Gems and precious stones of North America (2d ed.):
-Scientific Publishing Company, New York.
-
-Pough, F. H. (1953) A field guide to rocks and minerals: Houghton
-Mifflin Company, Boston.
-
-Simpson, B. W. (1958) Gem trails of Texas: Granbury, Texas.
-
-Sinkankas, John (1955) Gem cutting: D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc.,
-Princeton, New Jersey.
-
----- (1959) Gemstones of North America: D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc.,
-Princeton, New Jersey.
-
-Smith, G. F. H. (1958) Gemstones (13th ed.), revised by F. C. Phillips:
-Methuen and Company, Ltd., London.
-
-Sperisen, F. J. (1950) The art of the lapidary: The Bruce Publishing
-Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
-
-Sterrett, D. B. (1913) Gems and precious stones, _in_ Mineral resources
-of the United States, Calendar Year 1912, Part II, Non-metals: U. S.
-Geol. Survey, pp. 1023-1060.
-
-
-
-
- Plate I
-
-
- [Illustration: A
-Gem-quality celestite crystals from Travis County, Texas. Twice natural
- size. Lower portion of the crystals is colorless; the tips are dark
- blue.]
-
- [Illustration: B
- Opalized wood from the Texas Gulf Coastal Plain. Specimen at left is
-rich brown and tan; specimen at right is fossil palm wood and is black,
- reddish brown, and white. One-third natural size.]
-
-
-
-
- Plate II
-
-
- [Illustration: A
- Gem-quality garnet crystals and faceted gem from Gillespie County,
- Texas. Natural size.]
-
- [Illustration: B
- Labradorite from Brewster County, Texas. Both stones are pale yellow.
- One and a half times natural size.]
-
-
-
-
- Plate III
-
-
- [Illustration: A
- Pink microcline crystal from Burnet County, Texas.]
-
- [Illustration: B
-Smoky quartz from Burnet County, Texas. Natural size. Colorless crystal
- at center back is included for color comparison.]
-
-
-
-
- Plate IV
-
-
- [Illustration: Polished agate from gravels of the Rio Grande near
-Zapata, Zapata County, Texas. Bands are blue and gray; other inclusions
- are brown, yellow, and reddish. One and a half times natural size.]
-
-
-
-
- Plate V
-
-
- [Illustration: A
-Texas tektites (bediasites) showing variety of surface features. Natural
- size.]
-
- [Illustration: B
-Topaz crystal from a pegmatite dike near Streeter, Mason County, Texas.
- Natural size. Measurements: 1 by 1-5/8 by 3 inches; weight: 194 grams
- (970 carats); pale blue; mostly gem quality.]
-
-
-
-
- Plate VI
-
-
- [Illustration: A
- Topaz from stream gravels near Streeter, Mason County, Texas. Natural
-size. Left to right: colorless worn pebble; emerald-cut pale-blue topaz,
- weight 10 carats; pale-blue worn pebble, weight 205 carats; step out
- sky-blue topaz, weight 13 carats; pale-blue worn pebble.]
-
- [Illustration: B
- Tourmaline crystals in schist from Llano County, Texas.]
-
-
-
-
- Index
-
-
- A
- actinolite: 26
- agate: 20, 28, 38
- agatized wood: 27
- allanite: 21
- almandite: 22
- amazonite: 23
- amazon stone: 23
- amber: 18
- amethyst: 25
- Amethyst Hill: 25
- amorphous gemstones: 9
- andalusite: 30
- Arkansas: 19
- Armstrong County: 21
- augite: 18, 28
-
-
- B
- Baringer Hill, Llano County: 21, 26
- baroque pearls and/or stones: 17, 25
- bediasite (tektite): 28-29, 39
- beryl: 18
- Big Bend National Park: 27
- biotite: 23
- Blanco County: 18, 22
- Brazos County: 29
- Brazos River: 25
- Brewster County: 18, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 36
- brilliancy: 5
- brilliant cut, standard American: 13, 15, 16
- Brown County: 19
- Burleson County: 29
- Burnet County: 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 37
-
-
- C
- cabochon gems: 10-12
- Caddo Lake: 25
- carbuncle: 22
- carnelian: 27
- cassiterite: 23, 29
- celestite: 19, 35
- chalcedony: 27
- geodes: 26
- chuck: 15, 17
- citrine: 25-26
- cleavage: 6, 13
- coal: 22
- Coke County: 19
- color: 5
- Colorado River: 25
- Concho River: 25
- crown girdle facets: 16, 17
- crown of gemstone: 15, 16
- crystals: 7-9
- crystal systems: 7
- crytolite: 21
- Culberson County: 22, 23, 25, 26, 31
- culet: 13
- cutting and polishing: 10-17
- cutting lap: 13
-
-
- D
- DeWitt County: 29
- diamond: 19
- saw: 10, 11
- diaphaneity: 5
- dispersion: 6
- dopping: 12, 13
- dop-stick: 12, 15, 17
- dop-wax: 12, 15, 17
- dravite: 30
- durability: 6
- Duval County: 21, 24
-
-
- E
- El Paso County: 22, 30, 31
- emerald cut: 15
- epidote: 19-20
-
-
- F
- facet, kinds of: 13
- main: 16
- skill: 16
- table: 13, 14
- faceted gems and/or stones: 10, 13-17
- Fayette County: 20, 29
- fergusonite: 21
- fire: 5
- Fisher County: 19
- fluorite: 20, 21
- Foard County: 19
- fossil wood: 20-21, 22
- fracture: 6
- Franklin Mountains: 18
-
-
- G
- gadolinite: 21-22
- garnet: 20, 22, 36
- gemstones, by kinds: 18-31
- geodes, celestite: 19
- Georgia: 29
- Gillespie County: 18, 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 36
- girdle facets: 16
- gneiss: 22
- Gonzales County: 20, 29
- grain: 25
- gram: 7
- graphite: 30
- Grimes County: 29
- grinding: 12
- Guadalupe River: 25
- Gulf Coast: 25
- Gulf Coastal Plain: 18, 20, 22, 35
-
-
- H
- hardness: 6
- Hudspeth County: 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31
-
-
- I
- index of refraction: 5
-
-
- J
- jasper: 27-28
- Jeff Davis County: 26, 27, 28, 31
- jet: 22
-
-
- K
- Kinney County: 28
-
-
- L
- labradorite: 23, 36
- Lake Buchanan: 21
- Lampasas County: 19
- lap plate: 13
- Lavaca County: 29
- Lee County: 20, 29
- lignite: 22
- Live Oak County: 21
- Llano County: 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 30, 31, 40
- Llano River: 25
- luster: 5
-
-
- M
- Madeira topaz: 29
- Mason County: 20, 22, 23, 26, 29, 30, 39, 40
- Massachusetts: 29
- Maverick County: 18
- microcline: 20, 21, 23-24, 29, 37
- Mohs scale of hardness: 6
- moonstone: 28
- Mount Bonnell: 19
- muscovite: 23
-
-
- N
- natural glass: 18, 24, 28
- Needle Peak, Presidio County: 27
- nivenite: 21
- Nolan County: 19
- Nueces River: 25
-
-
- O
- obsidian: 24, 29
- Oklahoma: 29
- opal: 20, 24
- opalized wood: 35
- orbicular jasper: 28
- ounce: 7
-
-
- P
- Packsaddle Mountain: 23
- Packsaddle schist: 30
- palm wood: 21, 35
- Palo Duro Canyon: 21
- pavilion: 13, 16
- facets: 16
- girdle facets: 16, 17
- pearl: 24-25
- pegmatites and/or pegmatite dikes: 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 29, 39
- petrified wood: 26
- phantom crystals: 26
- pistacite: 20
- pleochroism: 5
- point: 7
- polishing: 17
- lap: 13, 16
- preformed stone: 16
- preforming: 15
- Presidio County: 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28
- properties of gemstones: 5-7
-
-
- Q
- quartz: 20, 21, 23, 25-28, 29, 30
- smoky: 38
-
-
- R
- radioactive elements: 22
- radioactivity of gadolinite: 21
- rarity: 6
- Reeves County: 26, 27
- Rio Grande: 25
- gravels of: 21, 27, 38
- Valley: 27
- rock crystal: 26
- rose quartz: 26
-
-
- S
- Sabine River: 25
- sanding: 12
- sanidine: 28
- sawing: 10
- scheelite: 20
- schorl: 30
- size: 7
- "skill" facets: 16
- "slab" of gem materials: 11
- Smithsonian Institution: 21
- smoky quartz: 23, 26, 37
- smoky topaz: 29
- Spanish topaz: 29
- specific gravity: 7
- spinel: 18, 28
- star facets: 17
- step cut: 15
- streak: 6
- synthetic gems: 7
-
-
- T
- table facet: 13, 15
- tektite (bediasite): 28-29, 39
- tenacity: 6
- thorogummite: 21
- topaz: 23, 26, 29-30, 39, 40
- quartz: 29
- tourmaline: 26, 29, 30-31, 40
- Town Mountain, Llano County: 26, 30
- transparency: 6
- Travis County: 19, 35
- Trinity River: 25
- tumbled gems: 17
- turquoise: 31
-
-
- U
- U. S. National Museum: 30
-
-
- V
- value of gemstones: 6, 7
- Val Verde County: 24
- valverdites: 24
- Van Horn, Hudspeth County: 27
-
-
- W
- Walker County: 29
- Washington County: 20
- Webb County: 21
- weight, units of: 7, 25
-
-
- Z
- Zapata County: 38
-
-
-
-
- Transcriber's Notes
-
-
---Silently corrected a few typos.
-
---Renumbered figures 6 and 7 (and references to them) to correspond to
- their order in the printed book.
-
---Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook
- is public-domain in the country of publication.
-
---In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by
- _underscores_.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Texas Gemstones, by Elbert A. King, Jr.
-
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-<pre>
-
-The Project Gutenberg EBook of Texas Gemstones, by Elbert A. King, Jr.
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-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
-other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
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-to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
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-Title: Texas Gemstones
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-Author: Elbert A. King, Jr.
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-Release Date: August 6, 2019 [EBook #60070]
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-Language: English
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-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TEXAS GEMSTONES ***
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-
-<div id="cover" class="img">
-<img id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Texas Gemstones" width="500" height="738" />
-</div>
-<div class="box">
-<p class="center">BUREAU OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY
-<br />The University of Texas at Austin
-<br />Austin, Texas 78712</p>
-<p class="center">JOHN T. LONSDALE, <i>Director</i></p>
-<hr class="dwide" />
-<p class="center"><span class="ss">Report of Investigations&mdash;No. 42</span></p>
-<hr class="dwide" />
-<h1><span class="larger"><span class="ss">Texas Gemstones</span></span></h1>
-<p class="center"><b><span class="small">By</span>
-<br /><span class="sc">Elbert A. King, Jr.</span></b></p>
-<div class="img">
-<img src="images/i00.jpg" alt="THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN" width="300" height="303" />
-</div>
-<p class="center">February 1961</p>
-<p class="center smaller"><i>Second Printing&mdash;February 1963
-<br />Third Printing&mdash;September 1972
-<br />Fourth Printing&mdash;March 1983
-<br />Fifth Printing&mdash;August 1991</i></p>
-</div>
-<div class="pb" id="Page_3">3</div>
-<h2>Contents</h2>
-<dl class="toc">
-<dt><span class="sc">Page</span></dt>
-<dt><a href="#c1">Introduction</a> 5</dt>
-<dd><a href="#c2">Properties of gemstones</a> 5</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c3">Crystals</a> 7</dd>
-<dt><a href="#c4">Cutting and polishing of gemstones</a> 10</dt>
-<dd><a href="#c5">Cabochon gems</a> 10</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c6">Faceted gems</a> 13</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c7">Tumbled gems</a> 17</dd>
-<dt><a href="#c8">Texas gemstones</a> 18</dt>
-<dd><a href="#c9">Amber</a> 18</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c10">Augite</a> 18</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c11">Beryl</a> 18</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c12">Celestite</a> 19</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c13">Diamond</a> 19</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c14">Epidote</a> 19</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c15">Fluorite</a> 20</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c16">Fossil wood</a> 20</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c17">Gadolinite</a> 21</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c18">Garnet</a> 22</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c19">Jet</a> 22</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c20">Labradorite</a> 23</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c21">Microcline</a> 23</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c22">Obsidian</a> 24</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c23">Opal</a> 24</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c24">Pearl</a> 24</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c25">Quartz</a> 25</dd>
-<dd class="ddt"><a href="#c26">Crystalline varieties</a> 25</dd>
-<dd class="ddt2"><a href="#c27">Amethyst</a> 25</dd>
-<dd class="ddt2"><a href="#c28">Citrine</a> 25</dd>
-<dd class="ddt2"><a href="#c29">Rock crystal</a> 26</dd>
-<dd class="ddt2"><a href="#c30">Rose quartz</a> 26</dd>
-<dd class="ddt2"><a href="#c31">Smoky quartz</a> 26</dd>
-<dd class="ddt"><a href="#c32">Cryptocrystalline varieties</a> 27</dd>
-<dd class="ddt2"><a href="#c33">Chalcedony</a> 27</dd>
-<dd class="ddt2"><a href="#c34">Agate</a> 27</dd>
-<dd class="ddt2"><a href="#c35">Agatized wood</a> 27</dd>
-<dd class="ddt2"><a href="#c36">Carnelian</a> 27</dd>
-<dd class="ddt2"><a href="#c37">Jasper</a> 27</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c38">Sanidine</a> 28</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c39">Spinel</a> 28</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c40">Tektite (bediasite)</a> 28</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c41">Topaz</a> 29</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c42">Tourmaline</a> 30</dd>
-<dd><a href="#c43">Turquoise</a> 31</dd>
-<dt><a href="#c44">Glossary</a> 32</dt>
-<dt><a href="#c45">Selected references</a> 34</dt>
-<dt><a href="#c46">Index</a> 41</dt>
-</dl>
-<h2>Illustrations</h2>
-<dl class="toc">
-<dt><span class="jl"><span class="sc">Figures</span>&mdash;</span> <span class="sc">Page</span></dt>
-<dt><a href="#fig1"><span class="cn">1. </span>Typical crystal form of three common Texas gemstones</a> 9</dt>
-<dt><a href="#fig2"><span class="cn">2. </span>Variations of the cabochon cut</a> 10</dt>
-<dt><a href="#fig3"><span class="cn">3. </span>Diamond saw</a> 11</dt>
-<dt><a href="#fig4"><span class="cn">4. </span>Cabochon properly attached to dop-stick</a> 12</dt>
-<dt><a href="#fig5"><span class="cn">5. </span>Cabochons at various stages of cutting and polishing</a> 12</dt>
-<dt><a href="#fig6"><span class="cn">6. </span>Nomenclature of the standard American brilliant cut</a> 13</dt>
-<dt><a href="#fig7"><span class="cn">7. </span>Facet table</a> 14</dt>
-<dt><a href="#fig8"><span class="cn">8. </span>Grinding the table facet on a rough stone</a> 15</dt>
-<dt><a href="#fig9"><span class="cn">9. </span>Stone dopped to table facet</a> 15</dt>
-<dt><a href="#fig10"><span class="cn">10. </span>Preformed stone dopped to table facet</a> 16</dt>
-<dt><a href="#fig11"><span class="cn">11. </span>Proper sequence of cutting of the pavilion facets</a> 16</dt>
-<dt><a href="#fig12"><span class="cn">12. </span>Proper placing of pavilion girdle facets</a> 17</dt>
-<dt><a href="#fig13"><span class="cn">13. </span>Proper sequence of cutting of crown facets</a> 17</dt>
-<dt><a href="#fig14"><span class="cn">14. </span>Common crystal form of Travis County celestite</a> 19</dt>
-<dt><a href="#fig15"><span class="cn">15. </span>Common crystal form of fluorite</a> 20</dt>
-<dt><a href="#fig16"><span class="cn">16. </span>Crystal faces on microcline specimen shown in Plate III</a> 23</dt>
-<dt><a href="#fig17"><span class="cn">17. </span>Common crystal form of spinel</a> 28</dt>
-<dt><a href="#fig18"><span class="cn">18. </span>Crystal faces on topaz crystal shown in Plate V</a> 29</dt>
-<dt><a href="#fig19"><span class="cn">19. </span>Cross section through irregularly colored stone</a> 30</dt>
-<dt><a href="#fig20"><span class="cn">20. </span>Common crystal form of Llano County tourmaline</a> 31</dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="toc">
-<dt><span class="jl"><span class="sc">Plates</span>&mdash;</span> <span class="sc">Page</span></dt>
-<dt><a href="#plateI"><span class="cn">I. </span>A, Gem-quality celestite crystals from Travis County. B, Opalized wood from the Texas Gulf Coastal Plain</a> 35</dt>
-<dt><a href="#plateII"><span class="cn">II. </span>A, Gem-quality garnet crystals and faceted gem from Gillespie County. B, Labradorite from Brewster County</a> 36</dt>
-<dt><a href="#plateIII"><span class="cn">III. </span>A, Pink microcline crystal. B, Smoky quartz. Both from Burnet County</a> 37</dt>
-<dt><a href="#plateIV"><span class="cn">IV. </span>Polished agate from gravels of the Rio Grande near Zapata, Zapata County</a> 38</dt>
-<dt><a href="#plateV"><span class="cn">V. </span>A, Texas tektites (bediasites). B, Topaz crystal from a pegmatite dike near Streeter, Mason County</a> 39</dt>
-<dt><a href="#plateVI"><span class="cn">VI. </span>A, Topaz from stream gravels near Streeter, Mason County. B, Tourmaline crystals in schist from Llano County</a> 40</dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="toc">
-<dt><a href="#table1"><span class="sc">Table 1.</span> Properties of some common Texas gem minerals</a> 8</dt>
-</dl>
-<div class="pb" id="Page_5">5</div>
-<h1 title="">Texas Gemstones</h1>
-<p class="center"><b><span class="smaller">ELBERT A. KING, JR.</span></b></p>
-<h2 id="c1">INTRODUCTION</h2>
-<p>Throughout history man has sought
-stones and minerals for personal adornment
-and ornamentation. Stones and
-minerals that are sufficiently beautiful,
-durable, and rare are known as gemstones.
-A gemstone with only one of these qualities
-is less desirable than one with all three.
-For example, a stone with rich color but
-not sufficiently durable to withstand daily
-wear in rings finds little favor as a gemstone
-except in brooches or pins where the
-stone is relatively safe from abrasion. Likewise,
-a stone that is beautiful and durable
-may be of little interest as a gemstone
-because it is commonly found in great
-quantities. To be valued highly, gemstones
-must be beautiful to the eye, durable
-enough to withstand wear, and rare enough
-so that they are not easily obtained.</p>
-<h3 id="c2"><span class="sc">Properties of Gemstones</span></h3>
-<p>The beauty of gemstones is mostly dependent
-on their color, diaphaneity, brilliancy,
-luster, and fire. Any one or a
-combination of these properties render
-stones desirable as gems.</p>
-<p>Color is very important in many gemstones.
-The color of transparent varieties
-should be distinct enough to be pleasing
-to the eye, yet not so dark as to appear
-black or opaque. It is generally more desirable
-that the gemstone be of even color
-and not appear &ldquo;patchy&rdquo; or &ldquo;streaked.&rdquo;
-However, some opaque or translucent
-stones such as agate owe their popularity
-chiefly to the variety of colors and designs
-within a single piece. Some transparent
-gemstones exhibit different colors when
-viewed in different directions. For example,
-some fine blood-red rubies appear
-brownish when viewed in a particular
-direction. The gemstone should be cut so
-that its finest color is most prominently
-displayed. This ability of some gemstones
-to exhibit different colors when viewed in
-different directions is called pleochroism.</p>
-<p>Diaphaneity is the relative ability of
-stones to transmit light. Diaphaneity is
-described by terms such as transparent,
-translucent, and opaque. Transparency is
-highly desirable in stones such as diamond
-that are commonly facet-cut to reflect light.
-The gemstone should be water clear and
-free from inclusions and cracks so that it
-transmits light freely, but there are stones
-that do not exhibit this property that are
-prized as gemstones. For example, turquoise
-may appear to be completely
-opaque and not transmit any light, but it
-is sought for its fine blue color.</p>
-<p>The brilliancy of gemstones is largely
-dependent on their index of refraction.
-The index of refraction is a measure of
-the ability of a cut gemstone to &ldquo;bend&rdquo;
-light rays and reflect them from the bottom
-facets back through the top of the stone.
-Of course, brilliancy is not noted in opaque
-or faintly translucent stones. The index of
-refraction of gemstones is expressed numerically.
-Air is the reference medium
-and is assigned an index of refraction of
-1.00. Other substances are assigned values
-relative to that of air, for example, water,
-1.33; topaz, 1.62; diamond, 2.42. The
-higher the index of refraction, the more
-brilliant will be the gemstone if it is
-properly cut and polished.</p>
-<p>Luster is the appearance of the mineral
-on a fresh surface in reflected light; it is
-divided into two major categories, metallic
-and non-metallic. Most gemstones have
-non-metallic luster and are described by
-terms such as vitreous or glassy, resinous,
-waxy, greasy, and pearly.</p>
-<p>The fire, or ability of gemstones to show
-flashes of different colors of light, is dependent
-<span class="pb" id="Page_6">6</span>
-upon a property called dispersion.
-The amount of dispersion is the extent to
-which the gemstone is able to separate
-ordinary white light into its component
-colors. The dispersion of gemstones can
-also be expressed numerically but for purposes
-of this publication will be referred
-to as low, moderate, or high. Diamond is
-a common gemstone that has high dispersion.</p>
-<p>A gemstone&rsquo;s durability is primarily
-dependent upon its hardness. The Mohs
-scale of hardness, given below, is most
-commonly used for gemstones and other
-minerals.</p>
-<dl class="undent"><dt class="tu"><b><i>Mohs Scale of Hardness</i></b></dt>
-<dt>1. Talc</dt>
-<dt>2. Gypsum</dt>
-<dt>3. Calcite</dt>
-<dt>4. Fluorite</dt>
-<dt>5. Apatite</dt>
-<dt>6. Orthoclase feldspar</dt>
-<dt>7. Quartz</dt>
-<dt>8. Topaz</dt>
-<dt>9. Corundum</dt>
-<dt>10. Diamond</dt></dl>
-<p>On this scale, the higher numbers are the
-harder minerals. Mohs is a relative, not an
-absolute scale. Therefore, it should not be
-assumed that diamond is ten times harder
-than talc because actually diamond is very
-many tens of times harder than talc. However,
-a particular mineral is harder than
-any other mineral with a lesser number,
-and the scale is very convenient to use.
-Gemstones mounted in rings should have a
-hardness of at least seven on the Mohs
-scale, or the stones may become scuffed
-and scratched after a relatively short period
-of wear. Gemstones mounted in pins
-and brooches can be of softer material as
-they are not usually subjected to abrasion
-and rough treatment.</p>
-<p>The tendency of some minerals to split
-with relative ease in particular directions
-along planes is called cleavage. Cleavage
-is also a factor determining the durability
-of gemstones. Some gemstones do not exhibit
-this tendency at all, whereas others
-cleave in several directions. The number
-of cleavages is always the same in any one
-mineral, and the direction of cleavages is
-constant in relation to the crystal structure
-of any one mineral or gemstone. It is apparent
-that of stones having the same hardness,
-the ones lacking cleavage or having
-the lesser number of good cleavage directions
-are the most durable.</p>
-<p>Some stones, such as jade and agate,
-owe their durability to their compact
-fibrous structure, which makes them very
-tough and durable even though they are
-not especially hard.</p>
-<p>Several other properties of gemstones,
-although not always contributing to the
-beauty or desirability of gemstones, are
-useful in identifying uncut specimens.</p>
-<p>Streak is the color of the mineral when
-finely powdered or, for softer minerals,
-the color obtained by rubbing the mineral
-against a piece of unglazed porcelain or
-tile. The color of a mineral&rsquo;s streak is
-commonly different from the unpowdered
-specimen.</p>
-<p>Fracture is the kind of surface obtained
-when the mineral is broken in a direction
-that is not a cleavage direction. Fracture
-surfaces are described by such terms as
-conchoidal (like the fracture of glass),
-subconchoidal, splintery, even, and uneven.</p>
-<p>Tenacity is the resistance of a mineral
-to breakage. Brittle minerals break relatively
-easily on impact. Malleable minerals,
-such as gold, may be flattened under
-a hammer into very thin sheets without
-breaking. Sectile minerals may be cut with
-a knife without powdering. Most gemstones,
-even diamond, are brittle.</p>
-<p>It is only natural to value most those
-gemstones that are not common or easy to
-obtain. Emerald owes its longstanding
-popularity to its fine green color, but tourmaline
-is sometimes found in colors that
-very closely approach that of emerald and
-yet sells for considerably less because it is
-so much more common.</p>
-<p>Rarity is not the only factor affecting
-the value of gemstones. Freedom from internal
-imperfections, quality of cutting,
-color, and size must also be considered in
-cut and polished gemstones. Internal imperfections,
-such as inclusions and cracks,
-<span class="pb" id="Page_7">7</span>
-detract from the appearance of gemstones
-and interfere with the passage of light between
-the facets; consequently, gemstones
-containing these imperfections are not
-valued as highly as those without them.
-Poor cutting or polishing detract from the
-beauty and thus from the value of gemstones.
-Unpopular or poor color commonly
-causes gemstones to be less valuable. Rich
-green emeralds are exceedingly prized,
-whereas very pale green emeralds are
-relatively inexpensive. Diamonds that have
-the least hint of yellow are never valued
-as highly as pure colorless, pink, or blue
-stones. Few persons find the yellowish color
-attractive, unless it is a vivid canary
-yellow.</p>
-<p>Size is important in determining the
-value of gemstones but not as important
-as perfection. A badly flawed gemstone of
-large size may be worth only a slight fraction
-of the value of a smaller perfect one.
-Gemstone size is usually measured in
-carats, a unit of weight, although millimeter
-size is sometimes used. Five carats
-is equal to 1 gram and approximately
-28&#8531; grams is equal to 1 ounce avoirdupois.
-One one-hundredth (0.01) of a carat
-is called a point, and this term is often
-used, especially pertaining to very small
-gemstones.</p>
-<p>The term used to compare the relative
-weights of minerals and gemstones is
-specific gravity, which is expressed numerically
-in relation to water. Water is
-assigned the value of 1.00. Therefore, at
-a given temperature a gemstone having a
-specific gravity of 2.00 is twice as heavy
-as an equal volume of water. A 1-carat
-sapphire (specific gravity about 4.00)
-will be smaller than a 1-carat amethyst
-(specific gravity about 2.65) because the
-heavier material will occupy less volume
-to have the same weight.</p>
-<p>A summary of properties helpful in
-identification of common Texas gem
-minerals is given in <a href="#table1">Table 1</a>.</p>
-<p>Comparatively recently in the history of
-gemstones, man has succeeded in the
-production of synthetic gems that have
-properties closely approaching those of
-many natural gemstones. To the untrained
-eye some synthetic gems may appear
-identical to natural stones, but synthetic
-gems can be detected with little difficulty
-by a properly equipped expert. Although
-most synthetic gems are inexpensive, their
-manufacture has not adversely affected the
-value of natural gemstones but instead
-has increased the demand for fine natural
-gems.</p>
-<h3 id="c3"><span class="sc">Crystals</span></h3>
-<p>Gemstones that have an orderly internal
-molecular arrangement are referred to as
-crystalline. This internal order is commonly
-reflected in the external shape of
-&ldquo;rough&rdquo; or uncut gemstones. The resultant
-shape is a polyhedral solid bounded by
-planes and called a crystal. Well-formed
-crystals are formed in nature only under
-relatively ideal conditions of temperature,
-pressure, and space. The specific temperatures
-and pressures involved vary with
-different minerals, but most crystals need
-space in which to form so that their
-&ldquo;growth&rdquo; is not impaired by surrounding
-rocks and minerals. However, some minerals,
-such as garnet and tourmaline, can
-grow in metamorphic rocks by recrystallization
-of minerals in the metamorphic
-rocks. The size of crystals varies from
-microscopic to tens of feet. Any one
-mineral usually has one or two typical
-crystal forms or arrangements of plane
-surfaces that aid greatly in the identification
-of the mineral when it occurs in good
-crystals (<a href="#fig1">fig. 1</a>). Frequently gemstones
-are found as abraded stream-rolled pebbles,
-fragments, or masses that do not
-show crystal form. Crystals of the same
-mineral from different locations commonly
-show somewhat different crystal
-forms owing to slight differences in composition
-or conditions of formation.
-Mineralogists and crystallographers classify
-crystals by the symmetry that they
-exhibit. The crystal systems are (1) isometric
-or cubic, (2) tetragonal, (3) hexagonal,
-(4) orthorhombic, (5) monoclinic,
-and (6) triclinic. A complete description
-of the classification of crystals can be
-found in almost any mineralogy text (see
-Selected References, p. 34).</p>
-<div class="pb" id="Page_8">8</div>
-<table class="center">
-<tr class="th"><th id="table1" colspan="6"><span class="sc">Table 1.</span> Properties of some common Texas gem minerals.</th></tr>
-<tr class="th"><th>MINERAL </th><th>COMPOSITION </th><th>HARDNESS </th><th>SPECIFIC GRAVITY </th><th>INDEX OF REFRACTION </th><th>COMMON COLORS IN TEXAS</th></tr>
-<tr><td class="l">Amber </td><td class="c">fossil resin </td><td class="c">2.0-2.5 </td><td class="c">1.05-1.10 </td><td class="c">about 1.54 </td><td class="c">brown, yellow</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="l">Augite </td><td class="c">CaMgSi&#8322;O&#8326; </td><td class="c">5.0-6.0 </td><td class="c">3.2-3.6 </td><td class="c">1.60-1.71 </td><td class="c">greenish brown, black</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="l">Beryl </td><td class="c">Be&#8323;Al&#8322;(SiO)&#8326; </td><td class="c">7.5-8.0 </td><td class="c">2.63-2.80 </td><td class="c">1.56-1.60 </td><td class="c">pale blue, colorless, greenish</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="l">Celestite </td><td class="c">SrSO&#8324; </td><td class="c">3.0-3.5 </td><td class="c">3.95-3.98 </td><td class="c">1.62-1.63 </td><td class="c">colorless, blue</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="l">Epidote </td><td class="c">HCa&#8322;(Al, Fe)&#8323;Si&#8323;O&#8321;&#8323; </td><td class="c">6.0-7.0 </td><td class="c">3.25-3.50 </td><td class="c">1.72-1.77 </td><td class="c">yellowish green, brownish green</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="l">Fluorite </td><td class="c">CaF&#8322; </td><td class="c">4.0 </td><td class="c">3.0-3.25 </td><td class="c">1.434 </td><td class="c">colorless, violet, yellow, green</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="l">Garnet (Almandite) </td><td class="c">Fe&#8323;Al&#8322;(SiO&#8324;)&#8323; </td><td class="c">about 7.5 </td><td class="c">4.25 </td><td class="c">about 1.83 </td><td class="c">red, deep red, brownish red</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="l">Labradorite </td><td class="c">NaAlSi&#8323;O&#8328; 50% to 30% CaAlSi&#8323;O&#8328; 50% to 70% </td><td class="c">6.0-6.5 </td><td class="c">about 2.6 </td><td class="c">about 1.56 </td><td class="c">yellowish, grayish</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="l">Microcline </td><td class="c">KAlSi&#8323;O&#8328; </td><td class="c">6.0-6.5 </td><td class="c">2.54-2.57 </td><td class="c">1.52-1.53 </td><td class="c">pink, red, bluish, greenish, white</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="l">Obsidian </td><td class="c">volcanic glass </td><td class="c">5.0-5.5 </td><td class="c">2.3-2.5 </td><td class="c">1.45-1.53 </td><td class="c">dark gray, black, brownish</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="l">Opal </td><td class="c">SiO&#8322;&middot;nH&#8322;O </td><td class="c">5.5-6.5 </td><td class="c">1.9-2.3 </td><td class="c">1.43 </td><td class="c">white, pink, bluish, brown, gray</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="l">Quartz (Crystalline) </td><td class="c">SiO&#8322; </td><td class="c">7.0 </td><td class="c">2.65-2.66 </td><td class="c">1.544-1.553 </td><td class="c">colorless, violet, yellow, brown</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="l">Tektite (Bediasite) </td><td class="c">natural glass </td><td class="c">5-6 </td><td class="c">2.33-2.44 </td><td class="c">1.48-1.52 </td><td class="c">dark brown, greenish brown</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="l">Topaz </td><td class="c">Al&#8322;(F&middot;OH)&#8322;SiO&#8324; </td><td class="c">8.0 </td><td class="c">3.4-3.6 </td><td class="c">1.60-1.63 </td><td class="c">colorless, bluish, sky blue</td></tr>
-<tr><td class="l">Tourmaline </td><td class="c">H&#8329;Al&#8323;(B&middot;OH)&#8322;Si&#8324;O&#8321;&#8329; </td><td class="c">7.0-7.5 </td><td class="c">2.98-3.20 </td><td class="c">1.62-1.64 </td><td class="c">black, dark brown</td></tr>
-</table>
-<div class="pb" id="Page_9">9</div>
-<p>Some gemstones, such as opal and
-obsidian, never occur as crystals owing to
-a lack of internal structural order. Such
-gemstones are termed amorphous, or without
-form. Amorphous gemstones mostly
-occur in nature as irregular lumps or
-masses, cavity fillings, or veins.</p>
-<div class="img" id="fig1">
-<img src="images/i01.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="352" />
-<p class="caption"><span class="sc">Fig. 1.</span> Typical crystal form of three common Texas gemstones.</p>
-</div>
-<dl class="undent pcap"><dt>GARNET</dt>
-<dt>TOURMALINE</dt>
-<dt>QUARTZ</dt></dl>
-<div class="pb" id="Page_10">10</div>
-<h2 id="c4">CUTTING AND POLISHING OF GEMSTONES</h2>
-<p>There are two types of widely used gemstone
-cuts. Opaque or figured gemstones
-are usually cut with a rounded upper surface
-and a flat or rounded back. A stone
-cut in this fashion is termed a cabochon
-or is said to be cabochon cut. There are
-several variations of this mode of cutting
-(<a href="#fig2">fig. 2</a>). Precious opal, agate, jade, star
-sapphire, and fossil wood are some of the
-stones that are cut mostly as cabochons.
-Transparent gemstones are usually cut
-with many plane polished surfaces. Such
-stones are called faceted, and the process
-of cutting and polishing these stones is
-called faceting. Emerald, diamond, topaz,
-and garnet are examples of gemstones that
-are commonly seen as faceted stones.</p>
-<div class="img" id="fig2">
-<img src="images/i02.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="60" />
-<p class="caption"><span class="sc">Fig. 2.</span> Variations of the cabochon cut. Left to right: double cabochon; flat cabochon; simple cabochon; hollow cabochon.</p>
-</div>
-<p>The cutting of gemstones, although
-sometimes tedious and time consuming, is
-not especially difficult or complex. However,
-like most arts and crafts, technique
-and ability should improve with practice
-and experience. There are currently many
-amateur gem cutters in Texas. A complete
-set of equipment necessary to cut cabochon
-stones may be purchased for as little
-as $50.00 or $60.00. Most amateur cabochon
-cutters have equipment that cost less
-than $100.00 which enables them to do
-very fine work on many gem materials.
-Facet cutting requires more precise equipment,
-and a complete array of such usually
-costs more than $100.00, although less
-expensive equipment can be obtained. The
-beginning gem cutter or lapidary who is
-willing to assemble and make some of his
-own equipment can reduce his initial expenses
-considerably.</p>
-<h3 id="c5"><span class="sc">Cabochon Gems</span></h3>
-<p>The procedures listed herein for gem
-cutting do not apply to all gemstones.
-Stones that are especially brittle, soft, or
-difficult to polish require additional procedures
-or special techniques. Many lapidaries
-may deviate from these procedures.
-Some of the steps of cutting and polishing
-are merely matters of personal opinion
-and vary somewhat from cutter to cutter.
-There are several detailed texts on the art
-of gem cutting; the descriptions herein
-are designed to give the reader only a
-general idea of the procedures and techniques
-involved.</p>
-<p>The cutting and polishing of cabochons
-require several steps. The initial step is
-sawing. Assuming that the rough gem
-material is large enough to be sawed
-(larger than about half an inch in
-diameter), it is clamped into the carriage
-of a diamond saw (<a href="#fig3">fig. 3</a>) and cut into
-slices about &#8540;-inch thick. The blade of
-the saw is mild steel that has been impregnated
-with diamond dust around the
-edge, hence the name diamond saw. The
-blade is rotated rapidly, and the material
-to be cut is &ldquo;fed&rdquo; to the blade by a sliding
-carriage on which the gem material is
-clamped. The extreme hardness of the
-diamond dust in the edge of the blade
-enables the saw to cut through several
-inches of gem material in a few minutes.
-The lower portion of the saw blade is
-immersed in a mixture of kerosene and
-oil, and the rotating saw blade carries with
-it some of the kerosene-oil mixture; this
-acts as a coolant and lubricant for both
-the saw blade and the material being cut.
-Without this lubricant, the heat generated
-by sawing would shatter most gem materials
-and also damage the saw blade. As
-this &ldquo;slicing&rdquo; or sawing of the material
-usually takes several minutes, a weight
-<span class="pb" id="Page_11">11</span>
-and pulley are generally used to give the
-gem material the necessary pressure
-against the saw blade. When cut through,
-the &ldquo;slab&rdquo; of gem material falls into the
-kerosene-oil mixture at the bottom of the
-saw or onto a special platform that cushions
-its fall.</p>
-<div class="img" id="fig3">
-<img src="images/i02a.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="573" />
-<p class="caption"><span class="sc">Fig. 3.</span> Diamond saw.</p>
-</div>
-<dl class="undent pcap"><dt>Motor</dt>
-<dt>Clamp</dt>
-<dt>Diamond-charged blade</dt>
-<dt>Carriage</dt>
-<dt>Stone</dt>
-<dt>Weight</dt></dl>
-<p>After being sawed, the slab of gem material
-is examined, and the location and
-size of the stones to be cut from the slab
-are determined. The desired outline of the
-shape of the gem to be cut is marked on
-the slab with a pointed piece of aluminum
-rod; ordinary pencil marks are not used
-because they wear away too quickly in the
-cutting process. Once the area from which
-the gem is to be cut has been selected and
-the outline of the gemstone has been
-marked on the slab, the excess material is
-trimmed away by a smaller diamond saw
-known as a trim-saw. In some slabs the
-excess material can be broken and
-&ldquo;nibbled&rdquo; away with a strong pair of
-pliers.</p>
-<p>The remaining portion of the stone is
-usually held by hand and ground to the
-desired shape using the previously scribed
-mark as a guide. This is done using a
-relatively coarse-grained (about 150 grit)
-specially made carborundum grinding
-wheel.</p>
-<p>Now that the desired outline has been
-obtained, the stone is firmly affixed to a
-slender wooden or hollow aluminum dop-stick
-<span class="pb" id="Page_12">12</span>
-(<a href="#fig4">fig. 4</a>). The process whereby the
-stone is attached to the dop-stick with a
-specially compounded jeweler&rsquo;s wax is
-called dopping. The dop-wax is heated
-over an alcohol lamp or candle flame until
-it is soft and pliable and is then spread
-around on the end of the dop-stick and
-formed into a mass about the right size
-and shape to fit the back of the gemstone.
-The stone is likewise heated, and the wax
-is applied to the back of the stone while
-both wax and stone are hot. Upon cooling,
-the wax firmly fixes the stone to the dop-stick.
-The dop-stick allows the lapidary to
-have firm control of the stone during all
-later stages of cutting and polishing.</p>
-<div class="img" id="fig4">
-<img src="images/i03.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="317" />
-<p class="caption"><span class="sc">Fig. 4.</span> Cabochon properly attached to dop-stick.</p>
-</div>
-<dl class="undent pcap"><dt>CABOCHON</dt>
-<dt>DOP-WAX</dt>
-<dt>DOP-STICK</dt></dl>
-<p>The top of the dopped gemstone is
-worked against the coarse carborundum
-grinding wheel until it is a rough approximation
-of the desired shape. The stone is
-then worked against a much finer-grained
-(about 220 grit) grinding wheel to remove
-the irregularities left by the coarse grinding
-and to further smooth and shape the
-surface of the gemstone. At all times while
-grinding, a small flow of water should be
-directed on the grinding wheel to keep the
-stone cool. Grinding on the stone for even
-a few minutes without cooling may result
-in the shattering of the gemstone because
-of heat created by friction of the stone
-against the grinding wheel. If the lapidary
-keeps the surface of the grinding wheel
-wet, there is little chance of damaging
-most gem materials.</p>
-<p>The next phase of cabochon cutting and
-polishing is sanding. The gemstone is
-worked against two sanding drums of
-different grit size. This sanding can be
-done with the sandpaper surface either
-wet or dry, as needed or as preferred by
-the lapidary. However, great care should
-be exercised during sanding so that the
-stone is not overheated. Overheating can
-easily occur whether the sandpaper is
-used wet or dry. As in grinding, sanding
-is first done on coarser grit paper (about
-300 grit) and last on finer paper (about
-600 grit). It is in the sanding process that
-the first hint of polish is noted on the surface
-of the stone. After sanding, the gemstone
-should have perfect form with no
-surface irregularities, a very finely textured
-surface, and only very minor
-scratches left from sanding. The gemstone
-is now ready to be polished.</p>
-<div class="img" id="fig5">
-<img src="images/i03a.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="155" />
-<p class="caption"><span class="sc">Fig. 5.</span> Cabochons at various stages of cutting and polishing. Left to right: trimmed from slab: ground to outline; after rough grinding; after sanding; polished.</p>
-</div>
-<p>At this point the procedure depends on
-the nature of the gemstone being polished.
-Most gem materials are worked against a
-buffing wheel that is impregnated or saturated
-with a mixture of some polishing
-compound and water. A soft felt buffing
-wheel with cerium oxide as the polishing
-agent is used for many materials. The
-mixture of cerium oxide and water is
-usually applied to the buffing wheel with
-a small brush. The lapidary should once
-more be careful not to overheat the stone.
-If the stone becomes too hot to hold to the
-<span class="pb" id="Page_13">13</span>
-underside of the cutter&rsquo;s wrist, it should
-be permitted to cool for a few seconds
-before continuing. After polishing on the
-buffing wheel, the gemstone should have
-a fine, high polish and be free of any
-scratches or surface irregularities. The
-finished gemstone is removed from the
-dop-stick by heating the dop-wax and pulling
-the stone loose. Any excess wax that
-hardens again before it can be removed
-from the stone by hand can be dissolved
-away by rubbing with an acetone-soaked
-cloth. <a href="#fig5">Figure 5</a> illustrates the desired appearance
-of the gemstone at the end of
-each of the steps of cutting and polishing.</p>
-<h3 id="c6"><span class="sc">Faceted Gems</span></h3>
-<p>The principles involved in faceting are
-about the same as those in the cutting of
-cabochons, but the equipment and technique
-are considerably different. The
-equipment required for the facet cutting
-of gemstones is built into or attached to
-a small specially constructed table (<a href="#fig7">fig. 7</a>),
-and the unit is commonly called a facet
-table. Most faceted gemstones are cut to
-obtain the largest flawless stone possible
-from the rough material. Therefore, one
-of the first and most important steps for
-the lapidary is to decide how the stone is
-to be cut from the rough crystal or pebble.
-The colors that can be obtained from the
-gemstone must also be considered, and the
-cutting of the stone oriented so that its best
-color is displayed. The lapidary also
-selects the orientation of the stone in relation
-to the cleavage or cleavages. It is
-difficult or impossible to polish facets of
-gemstones that are cut parallel to a good
-cleavage direction.</p>
-<div class="img" id="fig6">
-<img src="images/i03c.jpg" alt="" width="458" height="800" />
-<p class="caption"><span class="sc">Fig. 6.</span> Nomenclature of the standard American brilliant cut.</p>
-</div>
-<dl class="undent pcap"><dt>TOP VIEW</dt>
-<dt>SIDE VIEW</dt>
-<dd>Star facet</dd>
-<dd>Crown main facet</dd>
-<dd>Crown girdle facet</dd>
-<dd>Pavilion girdle facet</dd>
-<dd>Pavilion main facet</dd>
-<dd>TABLE</dd>
-<dd>CROWN GIRDLE</dd>
-<dd>PAVILION</dd>
-<dd>CULET</dd>
-<dt>BOTTOM VIEW</dt></dl>
-<p>Once the orientation of the gemstone to
-be cut from the rough material has been
-determined, the stone is dopped onto a
-special metal dop-stick that fits into the
-chuck of the facet head. The chuck is
-tightened so that the position of the stone
-on the end of the arm of the facet head is
-firmly fixed, and the facet head is adjusted
-so that the first facet that is cut is
-the horizontal, top facet of the stone or
-table facet (<a href="#fig6">fig. 6</a>). The table facet is cut
-by grinding the gemstone on a flat cutting
-lap that is diamond impregnated (<a href="#fig8">fig. 8</a>).
-By minor adjustments of the facet head,
-the lapidary can precisely control the location
-of the table facet. As soon as the
-table facet has been ground to the proper
-size, the cutting lap is removed from the
-lap plate, and the polishing lap is secured
-in place. Many different kinds of polishing
-laps and polishing compounds may be
-used depending on the properties of the
-material being polished. However, one lap
-and one polishing compound are usually
-sufficient for each gem variety. After the
-polishing lap is secured to the lap plate,
-the lapidary adjusts the facet head so that
-the stone is in exactly the same position
-relative to the lap that it was during the
-cutting of the table facet. The polishing
-lap is run wet or damp with water, as is
-the cutting lap, and small amounts of the
-polishing compound are applied to the
-surface of the lap while the facet is being
-polished. The minor scratches left by the
-cutting process are gradually removed,
-and a fine lustrous polish develops on the
-facet. It is especially important to take
-care in achieving a perfect polish on the
-table facet, as this facet occupies a large
-area of the crown of the gemstone. When
-the cutting and polishing of the table facet
-are completed, the gemstone is still rough
-or uncut in all portions except for this
-single, large, polished surface.</p>
-<div class="pb" id="Page_14">14</div>
-<div class="img" id="fig7">
-<img src="images/i04.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="616" />
-<p class="caption"><span class="sc">Fig. 7.</span> Facet table.</p>
-</div>
-<dl class="undent pcap"><dt>Water</dt>
-<dt>Light</dt>
-<dt>Adjusting ring</dt>
-<dt>Post</dt>
-<dt>Arm</dt>
-<dt>Chuck</dt>
-<dt>Stone</dt>
-<dt>Abrasives</dt>
-<dd>DIAMOND DUST</dd>
-<dd>CALCIUM OXIDE</dd>
-<dd>LANDE-A</dd></dl>
-<div class="pb" id="Page_15">15</div>
-<div class="img" id="fig8">
-<img src="images/i04a.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="552" />
-<p class="caption"><span class="sc">Fig. 8.</span> Grinding the table facet on a rough stone.</p>
-</div>
-<dl class="undent pcap"><dt>CHUCK</dt>
-<dt>DOP-STICK</dt>
-<dt>DOP-WAX</dt>
-<dt>STONE</dt>
-<dt>LAP</dt></dl>
-<p>The gemstone is then removed from the
-dop-stick by melting the dop-wax and is
-dopped once more so that the plane of the
-polished table facet is perpendicular to
-the axis of the chuck and arm of the facet
-head (<a href="#fig9">fig. 9</a>). Great care should be taken
-by the lapidary to insure that the table of
-the stone is exactly perpendicular to this
-axis, or the proper placing of the later
-facets on the stone may become very difficult.</p>
-<div class="img" id="fig9">
-<img src="images/i04c.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="261" />
-<p class="caption"><span class="sc">Fig. 9.</span> Stone dopped to table facet.</p>
-</div>
-<dl class="undent pcap"><dt>TABLE FACET</dt>
-<dt>DOP-WAX</dt>
-<dt>STONE</dt>
-<dt>DOP-STICK</dt></dl>
-<p>Once the stone has been properly dopped
-to the table facet, the lapidary is ready to
-proceed with the cutting of the outline of
-the stone. If it is to be a brilliant cut, the
-stone is ground perfectly round in outline;
-if it is to be an emerald or step cut, it is
-shaped so that it is square or rectangular
-in outline. This process is called preforming.
-The arm of the facet head is lowered
-on the post until it is horizontal, and the
-stone is worked against the cutting lap
-until the desired shape is obtained. When
-<span class="pb" id="Page_16">16</span>
-the preforming process is completed, the
-stone should have the desired outline of
-the finished gem (<a href="#fig10">fig. 10</a>).</p>
-<div class="img" id="fig10">
-<img src="images/i05.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="221" />
-<p class="caption"><span class="sc">Fig. 10.</span> Preformed stone dopped to table facet.</p>
-</div>
-<dl class="undent pcap"><dt>DOP-WAX</dt>
-<dt>STONE</dt>
-<dt>DOP-STICK</dt></dl>
-<p>The lapidary is now ready to proceed
-with the cutting of the pavilion of the stone.
-The arm of the facet head is raised to the
-proper angle for cutting the main pavilion
-facets. The angle at which the main facets
-are cut is very critical in determining the
-beauty of the finished stone. The required
-angle at which these facets must be cut
-varies with the refractive indices of the
-different varieties of gem minerals. If the
-facets are not cut at exactly the proper
-angle, light entering the top or crown of
-the gemstone can pass completely through
-the stone, instead of being reflected back
-out of the crown facets. The result is a
-dull, lifeless stone that appears to have a
-&ldquo;hole&rdquo; or &ldquo;fish-eye&rdquo; in the center. Stones
-that are cut in this manner are greatly
-reduced in value. The angle at which the
-facets are cut is controlled by the adjustment
-of the height of the arm of the facet
-head on the post. The lapidary will continually
-adjust this height, because the
-angle between the arm and the surface of
-the lap changes slightly as the facet is
-ground down to its proper place and size.</p>
-<div class="img" id="fig11">
-<img src="images/i05a.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="193" />
-<p class="caption"><span class="sc">Fig. 11.</span> Proper sequence of cutting of the pavilion facets. Left to right: four main facets; all eight main facets; half of the pavilion girdle facets; completed pavilion.</p>
-</div>
-<p>The standard American brilliant cut
-will be used as an example of facet cutting.
-Procedure for all other cuts is essentially
-the same to this point. After the eight main
-pavilion facets have been cut, the cutting
-angle is changed a few degrees, the arm
-of the facet head rotated slightly, and the
-sixteen pavilion girdle facets or &ldquo;skill&rdquo;
-facets, as they are often called, are cut
-(<a href="#fig11">fig. 11</a>). The pavilion girdle facets should
-meet exactly in the center of the main
-facets at the girdle of the stone. The pavilion
-girdle facets should neither overlap,
-nor should there be any space between
-them (<a href="#fig12">fig. 12</a>). After the pavilion girdle
-facets are cut, the cutting of the pavilion
-of the gemstone is completed. The facets
-are then polished on the polishing lap at
-the same angles and in the same order as
-they were cut, and the pavilion of the gem
-is completely finished.</p>
-<p>The stone is then removed from the dop-stick
-by melting the dop-wax and is re-dopped
-to the pavilion facets so that the
-crown of the stone is now exposed for cutting.
-Before the lapidary proceeds with
-the cutting of the crown, it is necessary
-that the stone be perfectly centered on the
-dop-stick and that the plane of the table
-facet be perpendicular to the dop-stick and
-to the axis of the arm of the facet head.
-The eight main facets are cut first, with
-numerous adjustments being made by the
-lapidary to insure that the proper angle is
-maintained (<a href="#fig13">fig. 13</a>). Then the cutting
-angle is changed a few degrees, the arm of
-the facet head rotated slightly, and the
-crown girdle facets are cut. The crown
-girdle facets are placed very similarly to
-the pavilion girdle facets except that they
-<span class="pb" id="Page_17">17</span>
-are shorter. The crown girdle facets should
-be joined in exactly the same way as the
-pavilion girdle facets. When these facets
-are properly cut, the cutting angle is again
-changed, the arm rotated, and the eight
-star facets are cut. This completes the cutting
-of the crown of the stone. The cutting
-lap is removed from the lap plate, and the
-polishing lap is secured into place. The
-facets are carefully polished in the same
-order that they were cut. After the last star
-facet has been polished, the stone is removed
-from the dop-stick. Any excess dop-wax
-is removed from the stone by means
-of a solvent, and the full beauty of the
-finished gem is revealed.</p>
-<h3 id="c7"><span class="sc">Tumbled Gems</span></h3>
-<p>One other method of finishing gemstones
-that deserves mention is tumbling. &ldquo;Baroque&rdquo;
-or &ldquo;free-form&rdquo; stones are produced
-in this manner. Loose pebbles or pieces of
-gem materials left over from other cutting
-processes are placed in a small barrel or
-specially constructed box with loose carborundum
-grit. The barrel is turned by
-means of a small motor, and the abrasion
-of the pebbles and grit against each other
-tends to round the pebbles and give them
-a finely pitted surface. Progressively finer
-and finer carborundum grit is used, and
-eventually a polishing compound. The
-result is several pounds of well-polished
-gem pebbles of various shapes and sizes.
-These baroque stones have found recent
-favor in costume jewelry of modern design.
-The tumbling process is rather slow, commonly
-requiring several days or weeks.
-However, little effort is involved on the
-part of the lapidary, and, consequently,
-the cost of most tumbled or baroque stones
-is quite modest. Only gem material that is
-unsuitable for cutting in other manners
-should be finished in this way.</p>
-<div class="img" id="fig12">
-<img src="images/i05c.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="323" />
-<p class="caption"><span class="sc">Fig. 12.</span> Proper placing of the pavilion girdle facets. Left: facets not joined. Center: facets overlapped, joined too high. Right: correct placing.</p>
-</div>
-<dl class="undent pcap"><dt>Stone</dt>
-<dt>Dop-wax</dt>
-<dt>Dop-stick</dt>
-<dt>Chuck</dt></dl>
-<div class="img" id="fig13">
-<img src="images/i05d.jpg" alt="" width="738" height="175" />
-<p class="caption"><span class="sc">Fig. 13.</span> Proper sequence of cutting of the crown facets. Left to right: four main facets; all eight main facets; half of the crown girdle facets; completed crown.</p>
-</div>
-<div class="pb" id="Page_18">18</div>
-<h2 id="c8">TEXAS GEMSTONES</h2>
-<h3 id="c9"><span class="sc">Amber</span></h3>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Composition</i>: fossil resin. <i>Crystal system</i>: amorphous.
-<i>Hardness</i>: about 2.0 to 2.5. <i>Specific gravity</i>:
-variable, from 1.05 to 1.10. <i>Luster</i>: resinous.
-<i>Color</i>: brown, yellow, red, orange, and white.
-<i>Streak</i>: white to yellowish to gray. <i>Cleavage</i>:
-none. <i>Fracture</i>: conchoidal. <i>Tenacity</i>: brittle.
-<i>Diaphaneity</i>: transparent to translucent. <i>Refractive
-index</i>: variable, about 1.54. Burns with a
-sweet, piney odor.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>Rich brown to yellowish amber has been
-found near Eagle Pass, Maverick County,
-in Cretaceous coal and on Terlingua Creek,
-Brewster County. Although much of this
-material is translucent and the quality
-suitable for lapidary purposes, the pieces
-are seldom more than a fraction of an inch
-in diameter.</p>
-<p>Occasional finds of poor quality brownish
-amber have been reported from the
-Tertiary formations of the Gulf Coastal
-Plain, but thus far no gem quality material
-has been found.</p>
-<p>The softness of amber limits its use to
-brooches, necklaces, and other jewelry that
-is relatively safe from abrasion.</p>
-<h3 id="c10"><span class="sc">Augite</span></h3>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Composition</i>: CaMgSi&#8322;O&#8324;; may also contain
-iron, aluminum, and sometimes titanium. <i>Crystal
-system</i>: monoclinic. <i>Hardness</i>: 5 to 6. <i>Specific
-gravity</i>: 3.2 to 3.6. <i>Luster</i>: vitreous to dull. <i>Color</i>:
-dark greenish brown and greenish black. <i>Streak</i>:
-light grayish green. <i>Cleavage</i>: two directions,
-poor. <i>Fracture</i>: conchoidal to uneven. <i>Tenacity</i>:
-brittle. <i>Diaphaneity</i>: opaque to translucent. <i>Refractive
-index</i>: variable, about 1.60 to 1.71.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>Augite of gem quality occurs near Eagle
-Flat, Hudspeth County, Texas. Although
-this material is very dark greenish brown
-and not commonly thought of as a gemstone,
-lapidaries have used it to fashion
-black faceted stones and cabochons that
-resemble obsidian. Most of the augite
-occurs as loose pieces and crystal fragments
-that have weathered out of nearby
-igneous rocks; the augite can also be found
-in situ in the igneous rocks.</p>
-<p>Specimens and pieces of cutting quality
-1 inch in diameter are common, and fragments
-over 2 inches in diameter have been
-found. The augite is associated with black
-spinel and some dark gray to black pieces
-of natural glass. Although the faceted and
-cabochon-cut stones are not particularly
-attractive, some of the larger pieces of
-augite might be utilized for carving.</p>
-<h3 id="c11"><span class="sc">Beryl</span></h3>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Composition</i>: Be&#8323;Al&#8322;(SiO)&#8326;. <i>Crystal system</i>:
-hexagonal. <i>Hardness</i>: 7.5 to 8.0. <i>Specific gravity</i>:
-2.63 to 2.80. <i>Luster</i>: vitreous. <i>Color</i>: pale blue,
-blue, green, yellow, brownish, pink, and colorless.
-<i>Streak</i>: white. <i>Cleavage</i>: one direction, very imperfect.
-<i>Fracture</i>: conchoidal to uneven. <i>Tenacity</i>:
-brittle. <i>Diaphaneity</i>: transparent to subtranslucent.
-<i>Refractive index</i>: 1.56 to 1.60. <i>Dispersion</i>:
-low.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>Gem-quality beryl has not been reported
-in Texas. A discussion of beryl is included
-herein because the writer believes it likely
-that beryl of gem quality will be found in
-Texas as a result of future investigations
-and exploration.</p>
-<p>Beryl crystals have been found in pegmatite
-dikes in Llano, Blanco, and Gillespie
-counties. These crystals are commonly
-several inches long and exceed 1 inch in
-diameter but are very badly fractured.
-Most of the beryl crystals do not approach
-gem quality and are entirely unsuitable
-for any lapidary use. The color of the
-crystals found thus far is bluish, greenish,
-pinkish brown, yellowish, and colorless.
-Some very tiny colorless beryl crystals
-have been found that are transparent, but
-thus far such crystals have been too small
-to be cut into gems.</p>
-<p>Fine blue beryl crystals have been found
-in the Franklin Mountains near El Paso,
-Texas. Unfortunately, these crystals are so
-badly flawed and fractured that they are
-not suitable for lapidary use.</p>
-<p>It seems likely that careful prospecting
-of Texas pegmatites will reveal at least
-some gem-quality beryl.</p>
-<div class="pb" id="Page_19">19</div>
-<h3 id="c12"><span class="sc">Celestite</span></h3>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Composition</i>: SrSO&#8324;. <i>Crystal system</i>: orthorhombic.
-<i>Hardness</i>: 3.0 to 3.5. <i>Specific gravity</i>:
-3.95 to 3.98. <i>Luster</i>: vitreous. <i>Color</i>: white, blue,
-greenish, reddish, and brownish. <i>Streak</i>: white.
-<i>Cleavage</i>: three directions, although one of these
-directions is not easily developed. <i>Fracture</i>: uneven.
-<i>Tenacity</i>: brittle. <i>Diaphaneity</i>: transparent
-to subtranslucent. <i>Refractive index</i>: 1.62 to 1.63.
-<i>Dispersion</i>: moderate.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>Celestite is very seldom cut into gems.
-Being very soft, brittle, and having three
-cleavages, celestite is completely unsuitable
-for jewelry. These same properties
-make this mineral exceedingly difficult to
-facet; however, faceted stones are seen in
-large collections.</p>
-<div class="img" id="fig14">
-<img src="images/i06.jpg" alt="" width="167" height="300" />
-<p class="caption"><span class="sc">Fig. 14.</span> Common crystal form of Travis County celestite. Same crystal form as shown in <a href="#plateI">Plate I</a>, A.</p>
-</div>
-<p>Fine crystals of colorless and blue gem-quality
-celestite (<a href="#plateI">Pl. I</a>, A, and <a href="#fig14">fig. 14</a>) have
-been found at Mount Bonnell and other
-localities west of Austin, Travis County.
-The celestite crystals occur in vugs or
-geodes in limestone. The crystals are
-mostly white or colorless and fractured
-near the base or where attached, but the
-tips of the crystals are commonly clear
-celestine blue and completely free of
-flaws.</p>
-<p>Crystals several inches in length have
-been found, but the average size is about
-1 inch. The smaller crystals are frequently
-more transparent and consequently better
-suited for cutting. It is very difficult to
-obtain crystals that will allow the cutting
-of flawless stones of more than 4 or 5
-carats.</p>
-<p>Bluish and colorless celestite of gem
-quality and fine crystals have been found
-near Lampasas, Lampasas County, and
-near Brownwood, Brown County, but
-neither of these localities has been very
-productive of good gem material.</p>
-<p>Celestite geodes have been found in
-parts of Coke, Fisher, and Nolan counties,
-but these geodes contain little gem material.</p>
-<h3 id="c13"><span class="sc">Diamond</span></h3>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Composition</i>: carbon. <i>Crystal system</i>: isometric.
-<i>Hardness</i>: 10. <i>Specific gravity</i>: 3.51 to 3.53. <i>Luster</i>:
-adamantine to greasy. <i>Color</i>: brown, colorless,
-pink, blue, yellow, and various other light
-colors; rarely deeply colored; sometimes black.
-<i>Cleavage</i>: four directions, octahedral, perfect.
-<i>Fracture</i>: conchoidal. <i>Tenacity</i>: brittle. <i>Diaphaneity</i>:
-transparent to opaque. <i>Refractive index</i>:
-2.42. <i>Dispersion</i>: high.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>There is only one well-authenticated find
-of diamond in Texas. A small brownish
-diamond was found in 1911 on section 64,
-block 44, Foard County (Sterrett, 1912,
-pp. 1040-1041). The exact weight of the
-stone has not been recorded, but one
-authority estimated that it was of sufficient
-size and clarity to yield a cut stone of
-about one-quarter carat.</p>
-<p>The only diamond-bearing rocks known
-in the United States are in Pike County,
-Arkansas. Although many other diamonds
-have been found in the United States, all
-were loose in gravels or streams except for
-some stones at the Arkansas locality. The
-fact that one diamond was found in Foard
-County does not mean that the prospects
-of finding more diamonds in Texas are
-much better there than anywhere else in
-the State. It is highly unlikely that more
-than a very few diamonds will ever be
-found in Texas, and any stones that may
-be found in the future are likely to be
-widely scattered.</p>
-<h3 id="c14"><span class="sc">Epidote</span></h3>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Composition</i>: HCa&#8322;(Al, Fe)&#8322;Si&#8323;O&#8321;&#8323;. <i>Crystal system</i>:
-monoclinic. <i>Hardness</i>: 6 to 7. <i>Specific gravity</i>:
-3.25 to 3.5. <i>Luster</i>: vitreous. <i>Color</i>: yellowish
-green to brownish green and brown. <i>Streak</i>: uncolored
-to grayish. <i>Cleavage</i>: two directions. <i>Fracture</i>:
-uneven. <i>Tenacity</i>: brittle. <i>Diaphaneity</i>:
-transparent to opaque. <i>Refractive index</i>: about
-1.72 to 1.77.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>Llano County has furnished some green
-and brownish-green epidote that is suitable
-<span class="pb" id="Page_20">20</span>
-for cutting into cabochons. Most of the
-material that approaches gem quality has
-come from contact metamorphic zones and
-is associated with garnet, quartz, and some
-scheelite. Some small cavities in the rocks
-contain tiny transparent crystals of gem
-quality, but the largest obtainable flawless
-faceted stones would probably be less than
-15 points.</p>
-<p>Faceted stones of epidote are sometimes
-known as pistacite owing to their common
-pistachio-green color.</p>
-<h3 id="c15"><span class="sc">Fluorite</span></h3>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Composition</i>: CaF&#8322;. <i>Crystal system</i>: isometric.
-<i>Hardness</i>: 4. <i>Specific gravity</i>: 3.0 to 3.25. <i>Luster</i>:
-vitreous. <i>Color</i>: violet, blue, colorless, green, yellow,
-brown, rose, and crimson red. <i>Streak</i>: white.
-<i>Cleavage</i>: four directions, octahedral, perfect.
-<i>Fracture</i>: subconchoidal to splintery. <i>Tenacity</i>:
-brittle. <i>Diaphaneity</i>: transparent to subtranslucent.
-<i>Refractive index</i>: 1.434.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>Very fine green, transparent fluorite has
-been found near Voca, Mason County. The
-fluorite occurs as vug fillings in pegmatites,
-associated with crystals of pink microcline
-and colorless quartz. Most of the vugs have
-been completely filled by the fluorite;
-therefore, crystals (<a href="#fig15">fig. 15</a>) of the fluorite
-are not too common. Masses of fluorite
-several pounds in weight, rich green, and
-quite transparent have been found near
-Voca. Transparent pieces an inch or more
-in diameter are common.</p>
-<div class="img" id="fig15">
-<img src="images/i07.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="361" />
-<p class="caption"><span class="sc">Fig. 15.</span> Common crystal form of fluorite.</p>
-</div>
-<p>Fluorite is much too soft for everyday
-use in jewelry and because of the low refractive
-index does not yield brilliant
-faceted stones. The perfect four-directional
-cleavage, relative softness, and brittle
-tenacity of the mineral make it difficult to
-facet. Faceted stones are seldom seen outside
-of collections. Cabochons are also
-difficult to cut from this material, but the
-rich color obtained is ample reward for the
-time and care necessary in cutting.</p>
-<p>Fluorite occurs at several other localities
-in Texas, notably in Hudspeth, Brewster,
-Presidio, Llano, and Burnet counties, but
-not commonly in gem quality or colors
-that warrant its use as gem material.</p>
-<h3 id="c16"><span class="sc">Fossil Wood</span></h3>
-<p>Wood that is buried in silica-rich sediments
-is commonly replaced by quartz,
-agate, or opal. The wood structure, including
-a large number of the annular rings,
-knots, small branches, and bark, may be
-preserved. This process of replacement by
-silica is believed to take considerable time.
-Preservations by other means (<i>see</i> Jet,
-<a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">p. 22</a>) are known, but silica replacements
-are most commonly used as gem materials.</p>
-<p>Fossil wood is often used by lapidaries
-as gem material when mineral replacement
-preserves the wood structure sufficiently
-well and when various impurities color
-the replacement material attractively.</p>
-<p>Excellent gem-quality fossil wood (<a href="#plateI">Pl. I</a>, B) has been found at a great number of
-localities in Texas. Agatized and opalized
-wood occurs in great abundance along the
-outcrops of Eocene and Oligocene strata
-of the Texas Gulf Coastal Plain. Much of
-this material is very well suited for cabochons,
-bookends, and other lapidary uses.
-The preservation is especially good at
-numerous localities in Washington, Lee,
-Fayette, and Gonzales counties, and the
-variety of colors, such as bluish, gray,
-brown, red, yellow, and black, makes this
-material especially sought after by &ldquo;rock-hounds.&rdquo;
-Some of the agatized and opalized
-wood fluoresces yellow or green under
-ultra-violet light. The fossil wood is sometimes
-found as stumps, limb sections, or
-large trunk fragments, but the great majority
-<span class="pb" id="Page_21">21</span>
-of the gem material is found as small
-broken fragments or stream-rolled cobbles.</p>
-<p>Fossil palm wood is by far the most
-sought after variety because this material
-displays &ldquo;eyes&rdquo; and tube-like structures
-that yield very attractive cabochons and
-cabinet specimens. Texas fossil palm wood
-is highly regarded by cutters from all parts
-of the country, and this material is thought
-by many lapidaries to be some of the finest
-gem-quality fossil wood in the United
-States.</p>
-<p>Gravel pits and river gravels in Live
-Oak County have produced very fine agatized
-wood. Although the gem material
-does not seem to be as abundant in this
-area as it is in counties to the northeast,
-the vivid colors and excellent preservation
-of the fossil wood in Live Oak County
-have attracted collectors from all over the
-State. The fossil wood usually occurs as
-large rounded cobbles in the streams.
-Much of this material is quite translucent
-when cut and contains various shades of
-brown, orange, and red.</p>
-<p>The gravels of the Rio Grande have
-produced some fossil wood in addition to
-the excellent agate that is also found there.
-Most of the fossil wood found in these
-gravels is very well preserved, but the
-colors are commonly dull shades of brown.
-Occasional fine red and yellow specimens
-have been recovered from the Rio Grande
-gravels, but these are rare.</p>
-<p>Good agatized wood has been found in
-and near Palo Duro Canyon, Armstrong
-County, about 50 miles southeast of Amarillo.
-Large trunk sections are not uncommon,
-but most of the material of cutting
-quality is obtained from small fragments.
-The Palo Duro Canyon fossil wood greatly
-resembles the famous Arizona Petrified
-Forest wood but is not nearly as plentiful.
-The Palo Duro wood contains yellow,
-brown, red, and bluish colors most commonly.
-Some of the wood-producing area
-is within Palo Duro Canyon State Park
-which is, of course, closed to collecting.
-The surrounding area has been worked
-diligently by local collectors, but new
-pieces of wood are exposed after heavy
-rains.</p>
-<p>Webb and Duval counties have also produced
-some good fossil wood specimens.</p>
-<h3 id="c17"><span class="sc">Gadolinite</span></h3>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Composition</i>: Be&#8322;FeY&#8322;Si&#8322;O&#8321;&#8320;. (Various other
-rare-earth elements may substitute into this mineral
-structure.) <i>Crystal system</i>: monoclinic. <i>Hardness</i>:
-6.5 to 7.0. <i>Specific gravity</i>: about 4.2. <i>Luster</i>:
-vitreous to greasy. <i>Color</i>: black; in thin splinters
-dark bottle green. <i>Streak</i>: white to greenish.
-<i>Cleavage</i>: none. <i>Fracture</i>: conchoidal to splintery.
-<i>Tenacity</i>: brittle. <i>Diaphaneity</i>: opaque to subtransparent
-in thin pieces. <i>Refractive index</i>: variable,
-about 1.77 to 1.82.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>Gadolinite as a cut gem is not seen outside
-of large collections; however, it can
-be faceted into black opaque stones of little
-beauty but of great interest to collectors.
-The best known locality of this mineral in
-the United States is Baringer Hill, Llano
-County, Texas. Unfortunately, this locality
-was completely flooded by the completion
-of Buchanan Dam in 1938. Masses and
-rough crystals of gadolinite weighing over
-100 pounds were mined from this locality.
-The gadolinite occurred in a large, very
-coarse-grained pegmatite dike associated
-with quartz, microcline, and fluorite, as
-well as allanite, fergusonite, nivenite,
-cyrtolite, thorogummite, and various other
-rare minerals. Some of the minerals in the
-dike occurred in very large masses. One
-quartz mass over 40 feet in diameter was
-noted, and microcline masses up to 30 feet
-in diameter were not uncommon. Much of
-the gadolinite was used by industrial firms
-as a source of thorium compounds, although
-some specimen and gem material
-found its way into museums and private
-collections. Because the locality was
-worked mostly from 1910 to about 1925
-and because since 1938 the waters of Lake
-Buchanan have completely flooded the
-entire area, material from this locality is
-now exceedingly difficult to obtain. The
-collection of the Smithsonian Institution,
-Washington, D.C., contains a cut and polished
-gem of Baringer Hill gadolinite
-that weighs 8.6 carats. This mineral is
-radioactive because of the presence of
-<span class="pb" id="Page_22">22</span>
-uranium, thorium, and other rare radioactive
-elements.</p>
-<h3 id="c18"><span class="sc">Garnet</span></h3>
-<p>The garnet group of minerals is variable
-in composition. Listed below are the pure
-members of this group, but garnets found
-in nature are usually a mixture of two or
-more of these end members.</p>
-<dl class="undent"><dt>Aluminum garnet&mdash;</dt>
-<dd>Grossularite (calcium-aluminum garnet), Ca&#8323;Al&#8322;(SiO&#8324;)&#8323;</dd>
-<dd>Pyrope (magnesium-aluminum garnet), Mg&#8323;Al&#8322;(SiO&#8324;)&#8323;</dd>
-<dd>Almandite (iron-aluminum garnet), Fe&#8323;Al&#8322;(SiO&#8324;)&#8323;</dd>
-<dd>Spessartite (manganese-aluminum garnet), Mn&#8323;Al&#8322;(SiO&#8324;)&#8323;</dd>
-<dt>Iron garnet&mdash;</dt>
-<dd>Andradite (calcium-iron garnet), Ca&#8323;Fe&#8322;(SiO&#8324;)&#8323;; may contain magnesium, titanium, and yttrium</dd>
-<dt>Chromium garnet&mdash;</dt>
-<dd>Uvarovite (calcium-chromium garnet), Ca&#8323;Cr&#8322;(SiO&#8324;)&#8323;</dd></dl>
-<p>Since almandite is the only variety of
-garnet known to occur commonly in gem
-quality in Texas, the following properties
-are for almandite except where noted.</p>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Crystal system</i>: isometric (all varieties). <i>Hardness</i>:
-about 7.5. <i>Specific gravity</i>: 4.25. <i>Luster</i>:
-vitreous to resinous. <i>Color</i>: red, deep red, and
-brownish red (other varieties also yellow, white,
-orange, pink, black, and green). <i>Streak</i>: white.
-<i>Cleavage</i>: none. <i>Fracture</i>: subconchoidal to uneven.
-<i>Tenacity</i>: brittle to tough. <i>Diaphaneity</i>:
-transparent to subtranslucent. <i>Refractive index</i>:
-about 1.83.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>Good crystals of gem-quality almandite
-garnet have been found in Llano, Blanco,
-Burnet, and Gillespie counties. In southeast
-Llano County, northwest Blanco
-County, and northeast Gillespie County,
-the stones mostly occur in stream gravels
-where they have collected after being
-weathered out of compact mica schists.
-Owing to the fact that most of the garnets
-have not been transported very far from
-their source, the stones commonly show
-good crystal form (<a href="#plateII">Pl. II</a>, A). All of the
-garnets from one locality commonly do not
-have exactly the same crystal form. The
-garnets are mostly widely scattered in the
-stream gravels but can be found concentrated
-behind rocks and on small gravel
-bars.</p>
-<p>Many of the crystals are less than one-eighth
-inch in diameter; however, good
-crystals one-fourth to one-half inch in
-diameter are common. Most of the stones
-are too fractured or have too many inclusions
-to yield gems, but many transparent
-stones have been found. The transparent
-crystals usually yield flawless deep red
-faceted stones of 2 carats or less. Some of
-the stones that contain too many inclusions
-to facet are cut as cabochons and are then
-often known as carbuncle.</p>
-<p>Small garnet fragments have been found
-in streams and in gneisses and pegmatites
-near Castell, Llano County, but they are
-not commonly of gem quality.</p>
-<p>Occasional small gem-quality garnets
-have been found in pegmatites and contact
-metamorphic zones in Burnet County. Garnets
-have also been found in several other
-counties, notably Mason, El Paso, Hudspeth,
-and Culberson, but no stones of facet
-quality have been reported.</p>
-<h3 id="c19"><span class="sc">Jet</span></h3>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Composition</i>: a variety of brown coal or lignite.
-<i>Structure</i>: woody. <i>Hardness</i>: 3 to 4. <i>Specific gravity</i>:
-about 1.30 to 1.35. <i>Luster</i>: dull. <i>Color</i>: black,
-brownish black. <i>Streak</i>: brown to brownish black.
-<i>Cleavage</i>: none. <i>Fracture</i>: uneven to smooth.
-<i>Tenacity</i>: tough to slightly brittle. <i>Diaphaneity</i>:
-opaque. Burns with a sooty yellowish flame.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>Jet is a type of fossil wood in which
-there has been sufficient chemical change
-to make the wood relatively hard and black
-without destroying the woody structure.
-The best specimens of jet polish into lustrous
-black cabochons.</p>
-<p>Jet occurs in Presidio County as compressed
-and flattened trunks of trees in a
-thin layer of coal and lignite in Cretaceous
-strata 100 to 200 feet stratigraphically
-below the San Carlos beds.</p>
-<p>Specimens of &ldquo;jet&rdquo; have been found in
-some of the lignitic Tertiary strata of the
-Texas Gulf Coastal Plain; however, this
-material is mostly soft, brownish, and not
-of gem quality.</p>
-<div class="pb" id="Page_23">23</div>
-<h3 id="c20"><span class="sc">Labradorite</span></h3>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Composition</i>: NaAlSi&#8323;O&#8328;, 50% to 30%;
-CaAl&#8322;Si&#8322;O&#8328;, 50% to 70%. <i>Crystal system</i>: triclinic.
-<i>Hardness</i>: 6.0 to 6.5. <i>Specific gravity</i>:
-about 2.60. <i>Luster</i>: vitreous to sometimes pearly.
-<i>Color</i>: straw yellow, white, greenish, gray, reddish,
-bluish, and green. Sometimes shows a play
-of colors on particular cleavage surfaces. <i>Streak</i>:
-uncolored. <i>Cleavage</i>: three directions. <i>Fracture</i>:
-uneven to conchoidal. <i>Tenacity</i>: brittle. <i>Diaphaneity</i>:
-transparent to translucent. <i>Refractive
-index</i>: about 1.56. <i>Dispersion</i>: low.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>Very fine facet-quality labradorite has
-been found about 20 miles south of Alpine,
-Brewster County. The labradorite occurs
-loose in the soil as slightly weathered or
-frosted cleavage fragments, commonly
-showing one or more crystal faces (<a href="#plateII">Pl. II</a>, B). The pale-yellow or straw-yellow
-color of these fragments, as well as their
-lack of internal imperfections, makes these
-stones excellent gem material. Individual
-pieces that exceed three-fourths inch in
-their longest dimensions are rare. Cut
-stones of more than 5 or 6 carats from this
-locality are scarce. The source of this material
-is uncertain, but it is probably
-weathering out of an underlying igneous
-rock.</p>
-<h3 id="c21"><span class="sc">Microcline</span></h3>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Composition</i>: KAlSi&#8323;O&#8328;. <i>Crystal system</i>: triclinic.
-<i>Hardness</i>: 6.0 to 6.5. <i>Specific gravity</i>: 2.54
-to 2.57. <i>Luster</i>: vitreous to pearly. <i>Color</i>: white,
-pale yellow, red, blue green, bluish. <i>Streak</i>:
-white. <i>Cleavage</i>: four directions, usually three of
-these distinct. <i>Fracture</i>: uneven. <i>Tenacity</i>: brittle
-<i>Diaphaneity</i>: transparent to translucent. <i>Refractive
-index</i>: about 1.52 to 1.53.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>Very fine crystals of blue microcline
-have been found east of Packsaddle Mountain
-and near Kingsland in Llano County.
-Crystals exceeding 1 foot in length have
-been found, although most are only a few
-inches long. The color of the microcline is
-mostly pale blue, but some crystals are
-darker. Microcline crystals associated with
-milky or vein quartz, smoky quartz, some
-biotite, and rarely cassiterite occur in
-pegmatite dikes which vary in size from a
-few inches to several feet in thickness. The
-color of this microcline is pale in comparison
-to microcline from some other localities
-in the United States, but the Texas
-blue microcline does yield pleasing cabochons.
-Perfect crystals of this material
-are prized by collectors. Blue or greenish
-microcline is often called amazonite or
-amazon stone.</p>
-<p>Bluish microcline associated with quartz
-and topaz has also been reported near
-Katemcy, Mason County.</p>
-<p>Red microcline is common in several
-central Texas counties and is a primary
-constituent of many of the igneous rocks
-in those counties. Large crystals of perthitic
-red microcline occur in pegmatite
-dikes of Mason, Llano, Burnet, and Gillespie
-counties. Any feldspar quarry or other
-pegmatite mining operation in any of these
-counties is likely to contain large red microcline
-crystals and fragments. Unfortunately,
-the good crystals that may have
-been present are often shattered by blasting
-during quarrying operations.</p>
-<p>Feldspar quarries in northeastern Gillespie
-County have yielded some good red
-cabochon material as well as good crystals.
-Here the microcline occurs with milky
-and smoky vein quartz, smoky quartz crystals,
-clear quartz crystals, greenish muscovite,
-and biotite. Many of the older quarries
-in Gillespie County have not been
-active for some time, and the dumps and
-quarry walls have been diligently searched
-by collectors.</p>
-<div class="img" id="fig16">
-<img src="images/i08.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="295" />
-<p class="caption"><span class="sc">Fig. 16.</span> Crystal faces on microcline specimen shown in <a href="#plateIII">Plate III</a>, A.</p>
-</div>
-<p>Many of the pegmatite dikes near Lake
-Buchanan in Llano and Burnet counties
-have produced some good red microcline
-specimens and cutting material (<a href="#plateIII">Pl. III</a>,
-A, and <a href="#fig16">fig. 16</a>). Many of these crystals are
-<span class="pb" id="Page_24">24</span>
-more pinkish than those in Gillespie
-County, but this is commonly due to the
-fact that the crystal faces of the Lake
-Buchanan area crystals are somewhat more
-weathered than the fresh Gillespie County
-crystals.</p>
-<p>Numerous other local areas in the counties
-mentioned, as well as some localities
-in Hudspeth and Culberson counties, have
-also produced small amounts of red and
-pink microcline of gem quality.</p>
-<h3 id="c22"><span class="sc">Obsidian</span></h3>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Composition</i>: volcanic glass. <i>Structure</i>: amorphous.
-<i>Hardness</i>: 5.0 to 5.5. <i>Specific gravity</i>: 2.3
-to 2.5. <i>Luster</i>: vitreous. <i>Color</i>: black, dark gray,
-reddish, brown, bluish, and greenish. <i>Streak</i>:
-white. <i>Cleavage</i>: none. <i>Fracture</i>: conchoidal.
-<i>Tenacity</i>: brittle. <i>Diaphaneity</i>: translucent to
-nearly opaque. <i>Refractive index</i>: variable, about
-1.45 to 1.53.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>Gem-quality black and dark-gray obsidian
-has been found in Presidio County
-associated with extrusive igneous rocks.
-The obsidian in this area is too opaque to
-serve as attractive faceted stones but is
-found in pieces of sufficient size and quality
-to yield nice cabochons. Some of the
-small weathered pieces of this material
-resemble tektite in outward appearance;
-in fact, the &ldquo;valverdites&rdquo; mistaken originally
-for tektites are pebbles of weathered
-obsidian in terrace gravel of Val Verde
-County. Obsidian takes a high polish but
-is very sensitive to heat. Stones that are
-slightly overheated during grinding or
-sanding will quickly shatter.</p>
-<p>Obsidian of gem quality has been reported
-also in Brewster County.</p>
-<h3 id="c23"><span class="sc">Opal</span></h3>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Composition</i>: SiO&#8322;&middot;nH&#8322;O. <i>Structure</i>: amorphous.
-<i>Hardness</i>: 5.5 to 6.5. <i>Specific gravity</i>: 1.9 to
-2.3. <i>Luster</i>: subvitreous to pearly. <i>Color</i>: white,
-bluish, pink, brown, yellow, and gray. <i>Streak</i>:
-white. <i>Cleavage</i>: none. <i>Fracture</i>: conchoidal.
-<i>Tenacity</i>: brittle. <i>Diaphaneity</i>: transparent to
-nearly opaque. <i>Refractive index</i>: 1.43.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>Opal other than as fossil or opalized
-wood (<a href="#Page_20">pp. 20-21</a>) occurs at the following
-several localities in Texas.</p>
-<p>Approximately 16 miles south of Alpine,
-Brewster County, precious opal occurs in
-very small seams and as cavity fillings in
-very hard pinkish-brown rhyolite. This
-opal is milky or bluish and commonly exhibits
-small flashes of blue, green, red, and
-orange fire. Individual pieces of this opal
-are mostly quite small, rarely over one-fourth
-inch in diameter, and very difficult
-to remove from the tough rhyolite matrix.
-Local lapidaries have cut interesting cabochons
-from this material in which several
-small patches of opal that are close together
-in the matrix are included in the
-same cabochon.</p>
-<p>Small finds of opal associated with rhyolites
-and basalts have come from other
-localities in west Texas, but the opal
-mostly does not display enough play of
-colors to warrant its use as gem material.</p>
-<p>Near Freer, Duval County, some very
-attractive common opal has been found.
-The opal is colored various shades of pink,
-blue, and yellow and in certain local areas
-occurs as fragments that are cemented
-together by clear chalcedony. Various
-colors are commonly found in the same
-piece, and such material yields handsome
-cabochons. Although the area has never
-been worked commercially, it has been
-hunted by collectors and cutters for several
-years.</p>
-<h3 id="c24"><span class="sc">Pearl</span></h3>
-<p>Pearls are the result of the secretion of
-calcium carbonate by various shellfish
-around sand grains, parasitic organisms,
-shell fragments, or other foreign objects
-that have in some way entered the body
-cavity of the shellfish. Since the shellfish
-is unable to expel these irritating particles
-or organisms, it deposits successive layers
-of calcium carbonate around the foreign
-substance to make it smoother and less
-irritating. Although pearls are principally
-calcium carbonate, they also contain small
-amounts of an organic substance, called
-conchiolin, and water. Pearls are found in
-shellfish that live in either fresh or salt
-water. Few pearls are spherical in shape;
-most are rounded but somewhat irregular
-<span class="pb" id="Page_25">25</span>
-and are known as baroque pearls. Good
-quality pearls are the only gemstone commonly
-sold by the grain, a unit of weight
-equal to 0.25 carat or 0.05 gram. The pearl
-grain is not the same unit of weight as the
-Troy grain.</p>
-<p>In Texas, pearls have been found in
-fresh-water clams in most of the major
-rivers and streams, notably in the Brazos,
-Concho, Colorado, Guadalupe, Llano,
-Nueces, Sabine, Rio Grande, and Trinity
-Rivers. Several Texas lakes have also
-yielded pearls, notably Caddo Lake and
-other lakes in north-central and northeast
-Texas.</p>
-<p>Small pearls are frequently found along
-the Texas Gulf Coast in edible oysters and
-other common shellfish. Fossil pearls have
-also been found but because of their
-darkened appearance are of value only as
-curiosities.</p>
-<p>The pearls thus far found in Texas have
-been of relatively poor quality and show
-little or no iridescence. These pearls have
-little value except as curiosities, although
-one writer has stated that the discovery
-of pearls in the Nueces River led to the
-original Spanish settlement of the State
-(Baker, 1935, p. 569).</p>
-<h3 id="c25"><span class="sc">Quartz</span></h3>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Composition</i>: SiO&#8322;. <i>Crystal system</i>: hexagonal.
-<i>Hardness</i>: 7. <i>Specific gravity</i>: 2.65 to 2.66 in crystals.
-<i>Luster</i>: vitreous, also waxy, greasy, and dull.
-<i>Color</i>: most often colorless, brown, yellow, violet;
-sometimes green, red, blue, and black; cryptocrystalline
-varieties often variously colored by
-impurities. <i>Streak</i>: white. <i>Cleavage</i>: indistinct.
-<i>Fracture</i>: conchoidal to splintery. <i>Tenacity</i>:
-brittle to tough. <i>Diaphaneity</i>: transparent to
-opaque. <i>Refractive index</i>: 1.544 to 1.553.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>The quartz family gemstones can be divided
-into two groups for purposes of
-description. The first group is the crystalline
-varieties, or those quartz varieties that
-commonly occur in distinct crystals. The
-second group is the cryptocrystalline varieties,
-or those quartz varieties that occur
-as irregular masses that are composed of
-many microscopic crystals. The crystalline
-varieties are usually much more transparent
-and are most often seen as faceted
-stones. The cryptocrystalline varieties vary
-from subtransparent to opaque and are
-almost always cut as cabochons.</p>
-<h3 id="c26"><span class="small">CRYSTALLINE VARIETIES</span></h3>
-<p id="c27"><i>Amethyst</i> (violet to purple-colored
-quartz).&mdash;A northeastern Gillespie County
-locality known as Amethyst Hill has
-produced quite a number of fine light to
-medium violet amethyst crystals which
-occur in quartz veins and geodes associated
-with serpentine and talc. Many crystals
-have been found loose in the soil.</p>
-<p>The amethyst tends to be very irregularly
-colored in zones parallel to the crystal
-faces. In many, the base of the crystal
-is colorless or white and only the termination
-is violet. Crystals up to 3 inches long
-have been found at this locality, but the
-average size is much less.</p>
-<p>The surface at this locality is almost
-entirely depleted of amethyst, with only
-an occasional small crystal or fragment
-to be seen. However, small excavations are
-still sometimes productive.</p>
-<p>Good groups of pale amethyst crystals
-have been found in quartz veins near the
-old town site of Oxford, Llano County.
-The occurrence seems to be much the same
-as the Amethyst Hill locality. Little exploration
-for gemstones has been done in
-this area, and future discoveries seem
-likely.</p>
-<p>Chalcedony geodes lined with amethyst
-crystals have been found in Brewster, Presidio,
-Culberson, and Hudspeth counties,
-but the occurrences are scattered. The
-crystals are seldom large enough to yield
-gems of more than 3 carats and are mostly
-very light colored.</p>
-<p>A few pieces of gem-quality amethyst
-have been found in Burnet County.</p>
-<p id="c28"><i>Citrine</i> (yellow quartz).&mdash;Very little
-gem-quality citrine has been reported in
-Texas. Some small citrine crystals have
-been found at Amethyst Hill in northeastern
-Gillespie County, but few are of sufficient
-size or color to yield good gems.</p>
-<p>The writer has seen one citrine crystal
-that was found in the gravels of a small
-<span class="pb" id="Page_26">26</span>
-stream in eastern Llano County near Buchanan
-Dam. The crystal weighs about 1
-ounce and is perfectly clear, light golden
-yellow, and flawless. However, a further
-search of the stream gravels failed to
-produce any other citrines.</p>
-<p id="c29"><i>Rock crystal</i> (colorless quartz).&mdash;Numerous
-localities in Texas produce this
-colorless variety of quartz, which is the
-most common variety of facet quality
-quartz and consequently is of little value.</p>
-<p>Rock crystal occurs at many localities
-in Burnet, Llano, and Mason counties.
-The crystals mostly occur in pegmatite
-dikes or in stream gravels where they have
-been weathered out of their parent rock.
-Some fine colorless quartz crystals have
-been found near Voca, Mason County, in
-weathered pegmatite dikes and also loose
-in the sands of nearby streams. Crystals
-from this locality are often stained with
-reddish iron oxide on their outer surfaces.
-Some of the rock crystal found near
-Katemcy, Mason County, shows asterism
-when cut with the proper orientation. Fine
-clear colorless crystals up to 8 inches long
-have been found in the pegmatite dikes
-near Lake Buchanan in both Llano and
-Burnet counties. Several localities near
-Enchanted Rock in Llano County have
-also produced some good colorless crystals.</p>
-<p>Feldspar quarries in large pegmatites
-in northeastern Gillespie County have
-yielded attractive quartz crystals, some of
-which contain smoky phantom crystals and
-tourmaline inclusions.</p>
-<p>Some pieces of rock crystal enclosing
-green, needle-like actinolite crystals have
-been found near the Llano-Gillespie-Blanco
-County corner. This material is not
-suitable for faceted gems but does lend
-itself to interesting and attractive cabochons.</p>
-<p>Colorless quartz crystals commonly are
-found lining small chalcedony geodes in
-Brewster, Presidio, Culberson, Hudspeth,
-Reeves, and Jeff Davis counties. These
-crystals are most commonly less than 1
-inch long but are mostly very clear.</p>
-<p>Rock crystal has been found in crevices
-of petrified wood in many east and southeast
-Texas counties, although the crystals
-are mostly quite small.</p>
-<p>Many lesser occurrences of rock crystal,
-too numerous to mention, are located within
-the State.</p>
-<p id="c30"><i>Rose quartz</i> (pink quartz).&mdash;Rose
-quartz occurs at various localities in Burnet,
-Llano, Mason, and Gillespie counties,
-but the amount of material is mostly small
-and the greater part unsuitable for gem
-purposes. Some good pink rose quartz occurs
-near Town Mountain, Llano County,
-but this material does not have flawless
-areas large enough to yield faceted stones
-of more than a few carats. Rose quartz
-is always slightly milky, or cloudy, and
-does not cut into brilliant faceted stones.
-The Town Mountain rose quartz has been
-cut into attractive cabochons.</p>
-<p id="c31"><i>Smoky quartz</i> (brown, yellow-brown,
-and golden-brown quartz).&mdash;Several
-Texas localities have produced fine smoky
-quartz. Baringer Hill, a noted rare-earth
-minerals pegmatite locality in Llano
-County, contained some smoky quartz
-crystals that were estimated to weigh over
-1,000 pounds, and the locality produced
-many smaller crystals that were of gem
-quality. Baringer Hill was flooded by the
-completion of Buchanan Dam in 1938 and
-is presently under the waters of Lake
-Buchanan. A few fine golden-brown gem-quality
-crystals have been found along the
-lake shore and in small pegmatites nearby
-(<a href="#plateIII">Pl. III</a>, B.).</p>
-<p>Feldspar quarries in northeastern Gillespie
-County have produced smoky quartz
-crystals that exceed 1 foot in length, but
-these crystals are mostly flawed, possibly
-as a result of blasting, and mostly contain
-only small clear areas.</p>
-<p>Good color smoky quartz crystals are
-found with topaz in the pegmatites and
-stream beds in Mason County, near
-Streeter, Grit, and Katemcy. These crystals
-tend to be lighter colored than those near
-Lake Buchanan, but they commonly contain
-large flawless areas.</p>
-<div class="pb" id="Page_27">27</div>
-<h3 id="c32"><span class="small">CRYPTOCRYSTALLINE VARIETIES</span></h3>
-<p id="c33"><i>Chalcedony.</i>&mdash;When free from impurities
-of various oxides and other compounds,
-chalcedony has little to render it
-pleasing as a gemstone. It is mostly gray,
-white, brown, or bluish and commonly has
-a waxy luster. Some of the chalcedony
-found along the Rio Grande Valley and in
-west Texas will take dyes, and local lapidaries
-have had some success in dyeing this
-material various shades of blue, green,
-yellow, and red. When the chalcedony is
-naturally colored and variegated, usually
-in bands, mossy figures, or dendritic
-forms, it is called agate.</p>
-<p id="c34"><i>Agate</i> (variegated chalcedony).&mdash;The
-wide variety of markings and colors available
-together with the ease of cutting make
-agate a favorite of many lapidaries. Fine
-agate has been found at numerous localities
-in west and south Texas. Fine plume
-agate, famous throughout the United
-States, is found south of Alpine. Plume
-agate is characterized by dendritic or tree-like
-inclusions and is mostly cut into very
-handsome cabochons. The agate from
-south of Alpine commonly contains black,
-red, yellow, or brown plumes within the
-same piece. The variety of colors and lack
-of porosity of this agate make it highly
-desired among lapidaries. The agate occurs
-loose on the surface of the ground and
-in the soil in small nodules that have a
-very rough, brownish surface. These
-nodules are mostly less than 3 inches in
-diameter, although specimens of gem quality
-have been found that exceed 200
-pounds.</p>
-<p>Some very fine agate has been found in
-the vicinity of Needle Peak, Presidio
-County. This material is mostly green moss
-agate in clear chalcedony and commonly
-contains small yellow &ldquo;sun-burst&rdquo; figures.
-The contrasting yellow and green design
-makes very beautiful cabochons.</p>
-<p>Fine agate has been found south of
-Marfa, Presidio County. This agate is
-mostly clear chalcedony with black, yellow,
-or variously colored plumes, moss, or
-&ldquo;bouquet-like&rdquo; figures.</p>
-<p>Numerous other localities in Presidio
-and Brewster counties have produced good
-agate.</p>
-<p>Various amounts of agate, jasper, and
-chalcedony occur in the gravels of the Rio
-Grande in varying quantities from Big
-Bend National Park downstream to
-Brownsville. This agate is found both in
-the present river gravels and in the older
-river gravels that now are located on
-nearby hills and slopes up to several miles
-north or south of the present Rio Grande.
-The greatest concentration of agate and related
-gem materials seems to be in the area
-between Laredo and Rio Grande City.
-Vast quantities of excellent gem material
-have been removed from this area for
-many years (<a href="#plateIV">Pl. IV</a>). The agate occurs
-as rounded, stream-worn cobbles and commonly
-has a thin white coating that makes
-it difficult to distinguish from the abundant
-chert and other rocks. The agate
-occurs in cobbles that are mostly 3 to 6
-inches in diameter, but specimens of gem
-quality that exceed twice this size are
-known. The agate varies greatly in design
-and color. Plume, moss, banded, and sagenitic
-agate occur in these gravels in a
-wide variety of colors. The jasper in the
-Rio Grande gravels is yellow, red, green,
-or various shades of these and is commonly
-suspended as angular fragments in clear
-chalcedony.</p>
-<p>Good agate has also been found near
-Balmorhea in Reeves and Jeff Davis counties
-and in smaller amounts at numerous
-other west and south Texas localities.</p>
-<p id="c35"><i>Agatized wood</i> (<i>see</i> Fossil wood, <a href="#Page_20">pp. 20-21</a>).</p>
-<p id="c36"><i>Carnelian</i> (translucent reddish chalcedony).&mdash;This
-variety of chalcedony in
-small quantities has been reported from
-near Van Horn, Hudspeth County. Small
-pieces of carnelian have been found in the
-gravels of the Rio Grande, but finds have
-been few and scattered.</p>
-<p id="c37"><i>Jasper</i> (impure opaque or subtranslucent
-quartz).&mdash;Good green, yellow, red,
-and brown jasper has been found in the
-gravels of the Rio Grande at all of the
-<span class="pb" id="Page_28">28</span>
-localities that produce agate. The colors
-are quite vivid, and the material takes a
-fine polish. Some pieces of orbicular jasper
-(jasper with circular or eye-like markings)
-have been found in this material.
-These gravels commonly contain jasper as
-fragments that are suspended in clear
-chalcedony; this is called brecciated jasper
-and yields very handsome cabochons.</p>
-<p>Many of the west Texas agate localities
-also produce jasper in quantity. Good jasper
-has been reported from north of
-Brackettville, Kinney County. Jasper is a
-minor constituent of the stream gravels in
-many parts of the State.</p>
-<h3 id="c38"><span class="sc">Sanidine</span></h3>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Composition</i>: KAlSi&#8323;O&#8328;; commonly contains
-some sodium. <i>Crystal system</i>: monoclinic. <i>Hardness</i>:
-6. <i>Specific gravity</i>: 2.57 to 2.58. <i>Luster</i>:
-vitreous to pearly. <i>Color</i>: colorless, white, pale
-yellow, and gray. <i>Streak</i>: uncolored. <i>Cleavage</i>:
-three directions. <i>Fracture</i>: conchoidal to uneven.
-<i>Tenacity</i>: brittle. <i>Diaphaneity</i>: transparent to
-subtranslucent. <i>Refractive index</i>: 1.52 to 1.53.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>Some feldspars, including sanidine,
-show a nice blue sheen in reflected light
-parallel to certain crystallographic directions.
-Stones having this property are
-called moonstone. A clear yellowish sanidine
-showing an attractive blue sheen has
-been found in Brewster, Jeff Davis, and
-Presidio counties. The individual pieces
-are small, the average size being about
-one-eighth inch. The sanidine is found
-loose in the soil at some localities where it
-has weathered out of rhyolite, and specimens
-of the sanidine in the parent rock are
-not difficult to obtain. Very small cabochons
-can be cut from this material, but
-few lapidaries have done so because inexpensive
-larger pieces of moonstone can be
-obtained easily from foreign sources. However,
-the west Texas sanidine does show a
-blue sheen when cut and polished.</p>
-<h3 id="c39"><span class="sc">Spinel</span></h3>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Composition</i>: MgAl&#8322;O&#8324; (magnesium may be
-replaced in part by ferrous iron or manganese
-and the aluminum by ferric iron and chromium).
-<i>Crystal system</i>: isometric. <i>Hardness</i>: 8. <i>Specific
-gravity</i>: 3.5 to 4.1. <i>Luster</i>: vitreous to sub-metallic.
-<i>Color</i>: black, pink, red, blue, green, yellow,
-brown, and violet. <i>Streak</i>: white. <i>Cleavage</i>: one
-direction, imperfect. <i>Fracture</i>: conchoidal. <i>Tenacity</i>:
-brittle. <i>Diaphaneity</i>: transparent to opaque.
-<i>Refractive index</i>: variable, approximately 1.72
-to 2.00.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>In many areas of the world, fine quality,
-beautifully colored, transparent spinels are
-found and used as gems. The only gem-quality
-spinel reported thus far in Texas
-is black and opaque. Near Eagle Flat in
-Hudspeth County, black spinel crystals
-have been found associated with augite
-and natural glass; these minerals are
-weathering out of an intrusive igneous
-rock. The spinel crystals have an octahedral
-form which is common for this mineral
-(<a href="#fig17">fig. 17</a>). Most of the spinels are free
-of flaws, but because of their black color
-they have little value as gems. The crystals
-are found loose in the sand of streams near
-the outcrops of the igneous rock or embedded
-in the rock. They seldom exceed
-half an inch in diameter. These stones are
-primarily sought by collectors.</p>
-<div class="img" id="fig17">
-<img src="images/i09.jpg" alt="" width="391" height="400" />
-<p class="caption"><span class="sc">Fig. 17.</span> Common crystal form of spinel.</p>
-</div>
-<h3 id="c40"><span class="sc">Tektite</span> (<span class="sc">Bediasite</span>)</h3>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Composition</i>: A natural glass, approximately
-75% SiO&#8322;, 15% Al&#8322;O&#8323;, 4% FeO, also MgO,
-Na&#8322;O, K&#8322;O, and traces of other elements. <i>Crystal
-structure</i>: amorphous. <i>Hardness</i>: 5 to 6. <i>Specific
-gravity</i>: 2.33 to 2.44. <i>Luster</i>: vitreous, often dull
-on weathered surfaces. <i>Color</i>: dark brown, greenish
-brown, appears black in thick sections.
-<i>Streak</i>: uncolored. <i>Cleavage</i>: none. <i>Fracture</i>:
-conchoidal. <i>Tenacity</i>: brittle. <i>Diaphaneity</i>: transparent
-to subtransparent. <i>Refractive index</i>: 1.488
-to 1.512.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>The average bediasite size is about 1
-inch in diameter, although specimens approximately
-<span class="pb" id="Page_29">29</span>
-3 inches in diameter are
-known. The uncut tektites are very interesting,
-showing a variety of shapes and
-surface features (<a href="#plateV">Pl. V</a>, A) and many exhibit
-contorted flow structure. The surface
-of many tektites is grooved or furrowed,
-while on others it is smooth or frosted.
-The Texas tektites are known as &ldquo;bediasites,&rdquo;
-after place names in Grimes County
-traceable to the Bedias Indians who formerly
-lived there.</p>
-<p>Dark brown and greenish-brown tektites
-have been found in Texas in gravels at
-scattered localities in Walker, Grimes,
-Brazos, Burleson, Lee, Fayette, Gonzales,
-Lavaca, and DeWitt counties. Outside of
-Texas the only other authenticated tektite
-localities in the United States at the present
-time are in Dodge and Irwin counties,
-Georgia. A fragment of a similar tektite
-has recently been reported from near
-Martha&rsquo;s Vineyard, Massachusetts. The
-tektites reported from Oklahoma are now
-known to be pebbles of obsidian.</p>
-<p>Although tektites have little value or
-beauty as gemstones, they have been cut
-by lapidaries as both faceted and cabochon
-stones. Tektites take a high polish but are
-mostly so dark in color that they appear
-black.</p>
-<p>The origin of tektites is of great scientific
-interest and is currently the subject
-of much debate. Some scientists believe
-that tektites are of meteoritic origin, while
-others believe that tektites were formed
-by various terrestrial processes. Since no
-one has actually observed a tektite to fall
-or form, and many of the theories of origin
-are difficult to prove without direct observation,
-the origin of tektites is likely to
-remain in controversy for some time.</p>
-<h3 id="c41"><span class="sc">Topaz</span></h3>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Composition</i>: Al&#8322;(F, OH)&#8322;SiO&#8324;. <i>Crystal system</i>:
-orthorhombic. <i>Hardness</i>: 8. <i>Specific gravity</i>: 3.4
-to 3.6. <i>Luster</i>: vitreous. <i>Color</i>: pale blue, sky blue,
-greenish, white, wine yellow, straw yellow, grayish,
-pink, reddish, and orange. <i>Streak</i>: uncolored.
-<i>Cleavage</i>: one direction, basal, highly perfect.
-<i>Fracture</i>: conchoidal to uneven. <i>Tenacity</i>: brittle.
-<i>Diaphaneity</i>: transparent to subtranslucent.
-<i>Refractive index</i>: about 1.60 to 1.63. <i>Dispersion</i>:
-moderate.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>Various yellow and smoky colored
-quartz gems are offered for sale as &ldquo;Spanish
-Topaz,&rdquo; &ldquo;Smoky Topaz,&rdquo; &ldquo;Madeira
-Topaz,&rdquo; and &ldquo;Topaz Quartz.&rdquo; These names
-are entirely misleading and should be
-dropped from usage.</p>
-<p>Fine gem-quality white, pale-blue, and
-sky-blue topaz has been found near
-Streeter, Grit, and Katemcy, Mason
-County. This Texas gem material compares
-favorably in color, size, and clarity with
-topaz found anywhere in the United States.
-Fine crystals of topaz (<a href="#plateV">Pl. V</a>, B, and <a href="#fig18">fig. 18</a>) occasionally are found in pegmatite
-dikes associated with quartz, black tourmaline,
-cassiterite, and pink microcline.
-Many of the gem-bearing pegmatites have
-been eroded away, leaving the topaz concentrated
-in the stream beds. The stones
-mostly occur as frosted, stream-worn pebbles
-(<a href="#plateVI">Pl. VI</a>, A) in the numerous small
-creeks in the area. The topaz is heavier
-than the quartz and microcline that compose
-the stream gravel and is commonly
-found immediately on top of the granite
-bed-rock in the bottom of the stream bed.
-The stones tend to lodge behind boulders
-or small dikes cutting across the stream.</p>
-<div class="img" id="fig18">
-<img src="images/i09a.jpg" alt="" width="263" height="400" />
-<p class="caption"><span class="sc">Fig. 18.</span> Crystal faces on topaz crystal shown in <a href="#plateV">Plate V</a>, B. This crystal habit is typical of the topaz from Mason County.</p>
-</div>
-<p>The white or colorless stones are by far
-the most common, outnumbering the
-bluish stones about ten to one. The color
-of the blue stones tends to be irregularly
-distributed in zones parallel to the crystal
-<span class="pb" id="Page_30">30</span>
-faces. Topaz that is colored in this manner
-should be cut with the best blue color near
-the bottom or culet of the gem (<a href="#fig19">fig. 19</a>).
-If done correctly, this will give the entire
-gemstone the desirable blue color.</p>
-<div class="img" id="fig19">
-<img src="images/i10.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="161" />
-<p class="caption"><span class="sc">Fig. 19.</span> Cross section showing the proper orientation of dark-color zone in a gem cut from an irregularly colored stone.</p>
-</div>
-<dl class="undent pcap"><dt>COLORLESS</dt>
-<dt>BLUE</dt></dl>
-<p>The colorless stones can be turned pale
-yellow, yellowish brown, or straw yellow
-by exposure to X-ray radiation, and some
-of the bluish stones will fluoresce faintly
-yellowish under ultra-violet light.</p>
-<p>The largest gem-quality topaz crystal
-yet found in North America has come from
-Mason County. It is a pale-blue crystal
-weighing 1,296 grams, now in the collection
-of the U.S. National Museum. Several
-other large pieces, some weighing over a
-pound, have been found. One large crystal,
-exact weight unknown, was found near
-Katemcy. Several gem cutters have estimated
-that this stone could easily yield a
-single, flawless pale-blue gem of about 500
-carats. Many large gems have been cut
-from topaz found in this area, including
-at least one stone of over 300 carats.</p>
-<p>One obstacle in the cutting of topaz is
-its perfect basal cleavage. The gemstone
-should be oriented so that no facet of the
-stone will be parallel to or within less than
-about 5 degrees of the cleavage direction,
-or the facet may be very difficult or impossible
-to polish.</p>
-<p>It is difficult to estimate the productivity
-of this area since its discovery in the early
-1900&rsquo;s. Few systematic attempts have been
-made to exploit the deposits, and a great
-amount of the topaz thus far recovered has
-been found by private collectors. The
-Mason County topaz deposits are still very
-productive, and additional exploration
-may uncover even more gem-producing
-areas.</p>
-<p>Topaz has also been found in stream
-gravels or pegmatites in Burnet, Llano,
-Gillespie, and El Paso counties but very
-rarely in gem quality.</p>
-<h3 id="c42"><span class="sc">Tourmaline</span></h3>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Composition</i>: H&#8329;Al&#8323;(B&middot;OH)&#8322;Si&#8324;O&#8321;&#8329;; hydrogen
-often replaced by iron, magnesium, calcium, or
-fluorine. <i>Crystal system</i>: hexagonal. <i>Hardness</i>: 7
-to 7.5. <i>Specific gravity</i>: 2.98 to 3.20. <i>Luster</i>: vitreous
-to resinous. <i>Color</i>: black, brownish black,
-brown, blue, green, red, pink, yellow, and gray.
-<i>Streak</i>: uncolored. <i>Cleavage</i>: two directions, very
-imperfect. <i>Fracture</i>: subconchoidal to uneven.
-<i>Tenacity</i>: brittle. <i>Diaphaneity</i>: transparent to
-opaque. <i>Refractive index</i>: about 1.62 to 1.64.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>Black tourmaline is schorl;
-brown tourmaline, dravite.</p>
-<p>Good crystals of black and dark brown
-tourmaline occur at Town Mountain near
-Llano, Llano County. The tourmaline
-crystals average about 1 inch in length,
-do not commonly exceed 2 inches, and
-are associated with white vein quartz.
-The quartz completely encloses the tourmaline,
-but the crystals can be broken free
-or the quartz can be trimmed away with
-the use of a diamond saw. The latter procedure
-is recommended whenever possible,
-for it is very easy to shatter the tourmaline
-crystals while trying to remove them from
-the quartz by other means. Many of the
-crystals are completely unsuitable for cutting,
-being too brittle or too badly cracked
-and flawed. However, some small crystals
-have been found that are of sufficient quality
-and size to yield flawless stones of a
-few carats. Few of these stones have been
-cut since the tourmaline is so dark that it
-appears opaque, and few persons find a
-gem of this nature attractive.</p>
-<p>Good black and dark brown crystals of
-tourmaline associated with andalusite and
-graphite occur in the Packsaddle schist
-(Precambrian) near Sunrise Beach, Llano
-County (<a href="#plateVI">Pl. VI</a>, B, and <a href="#fig20">fig. 20</a>). Although
-generally smaller in diameter than the
-crystals found at Town Mountain, they
-commonly exceed 3 inches in length, although
-the average size is a little over 1
-inch. Many of these crystals are suitable
-<span class="pb" id="Page_31">31</span>
-for cutting into opaque or nearly opaque
-stones of about 5 or 6 carats.</p>
-<p>Black tourmaline has also been found
-in Hudspeth and Culberson counties but
-not of sufficient quality to be used as a
-gemstone.</p>
-<div class="img" id="fig20">
-<img src="images/i10a.jpg" alt="" width="243" height="501" />
-<p class="caption"><span class="sc">Fig. 20.</span> Common crystal form of Llano County tourmaline.</p>
-</div>
-<h3 id="c43"><span class="sc">Turquoise</span></h3>
-<blockquote>
-<p><i>Composition</i>: hydrous phosphate of aluminum
-and copper. <i>Crystal system</i>: triclinic. <i>Hardness</i>:
-5 to 6. <i>Specific gravity</i>: variable, 2.6 to about 2.8.
-<i>Luster</i>: dull, sometimes waxy. <i>Color</i>: sky blue to
-greenish blue. <i>Streak</i>: white to greenish.
-<i>Cleavage</i>: none in massive material, two directions
-in crystals. <i>Fracture</i>: conchoidal to subconchoidal.
-<i>Tenacity</i>: brittle. <i>Diaphaneity</i>: subtranslucent
-to opaque. <i>Refractive index</i>: 1.61 to
-1.65.</p>
-</blockquote>
-<p>Turquoise of good sky-blue to greenish-blue
-color has been found a few miles
-southwest of Van Horn, Culberson County.
-Several shallow pits were dug at this locality
-about 1910; however, the amount
-of turquoise produced was small. The main
-occurrence of the turquoise was in seams
-about 1 millimeter thick along joints in the
-fine-grained rocks of this area. Persons
-who have visited Culberson County more
-recently report that even minute traces of
-the turquoise are now difficult to find at
-the old prospect pits. However, further
-prospecting in the area might yield some
-additional localities.</p>
-<p>Small amounts of turquoise have been
-reported near El Paso, El Paso County,
-and also in volcanic rocks near the Jeff
-Davis-Brewster County line, north of Alpine.</p>
-<p>A small amount of turquoise has been
-mined from several localities a few miles
-northwest of Sierra Blanca in the Sierra
-Blanca Mountains of Hudspeth County.</p>
-<div class="pb" id="Page_32">32</div>
-<h2 id="c44">GLOSSARY</h2>
-<dl class="undent"><dt><b>Amorphous</b>&mdash;without definite molecular structure; not crystalline.</dt>
-<dt><b>Baroque stone</b>&mdash;an irregularly shaped, polished stone; usually applied to tumbled stones.</dt>
-<dt><b>Baroque pearl</b>&mdash;an irregularly shaped pearl.</dt>
-<dt><b>Brilliancy</b>&mdash;reflecting much light; having brightness.</dt>
-<dt><b>Brilliant cut</b>&mdash;a mode of arrangement of facets commonly used on round or oval stones. The standard American brilliant cut has 57 or 58 facets. Most diamonds of 5 or less carats are cut in this manner.</dt>
-<dt><b>Cabochon</b>&mdash;a stone cut with a flat or convex upper surface; sometimes faceted in part. Opal, star sapphire, and agate are stones that are frequently cut in this style (<a href="#fig2">fig. 2</a>).</dt>
-<dt><b>Cambrian</b>&mdash;a division of geologic time, estimated to be the time from 550 to 440 million years ago; the oldest time division of the Paleozoic era.</dt>
-<dt><b>Carat</b>&mdash;a unit of weight equal to &#8533; of a gram or 0.2 gram. One ounce avoirdupois is equal to 141.75 carats.</dt>
-<dt><b>Cleavage</b>&mdash;the tendency of certain minerals to split in particular directions yielding relatively smooth plane surfaces.</dt>
-<dt><b>Conchiolin</b>&mdash;an organic albuminoid substance found in pearls.</dt>
-<dt><b>Conchoidal</b>&mdash;a type of fracture having curved concavities or the approximate shape of one-half of a bivalve shell. Glass has excellent conchoidal fracture.</dt>
-<dt><b>Cretaceous</b>&mdash;a division of geologic time, estimated to be the time from 135 to 60 million years ago; youngest division of the Mesozoic era.</dt>
-<dt><b>Crown</b>&mdash;that portion of a faceted gem above the girdle; the upper portion of a facet-cut gem (<a href="#fig6">fig. 6</a>).</dt>
-<dt><b>Cryptocrystalline</b>&mdash;composed of very fine or microscopic crystals.</dt>
-<dt><b>Crystal</b>&mdash;the regular polyhedral form, bounded by plane surfaces, that is assumed by a mineral under suitable conditions. Crystals have definite external symmetry and internal molecular order.</dt>
-<dt><b>Crystalline</b>&mdash;possessing definite internal molecular order; not amorphous.</dt>
-<dt><b>Cubic</b>&mdash;in the general shape of a cube. The isometric crystal system is often called the cubic system.</dt>
-<dt><b>Culet</b>&mdash;the very bottom portion of a faceted gem; the point or line formed by the intersection of the lowest pavilion facets (<a href="#fig6">fig. 6</a>).</dt>
-<dt><b>Dendritic</b>&mdash;branching or tree-like in form.</dt>
-<dt><b>Diaphaneity</b>&mdash;relative transparency. The diaphaneity of a mineral is described as transparent, translucent, opaque, etc.</dt>
-<dt><b>Dike</b>&mdash;a tabular rock body, usually igneous in origin, which cuts across the surrounding rock strata.</dt>
-<dt><b>Dispersion</b>&mdash;a measure of the ability of gemstones to separate complex or white light into its component colors; often illustrated with a prism. Gemstones that are capable of separating colors of light widely are said to have high dispersion; gemstones not so capable of separating white light into colors are said to have low dispersion.</dt>
-<dt><b>Dopping</b>&mdash;the act of cementing a gemstone, either rough or partly finished, to a dop-stick.</dt>
-<dt><b>Dop-stick</b>&mdash;the wooden stick or cylindrical piece of metal to which a gemstone is cemented to facilitate handling during cutting and polishing.</dt>
-<dt><b>Dop-wax</b>&mdash;the agent or cement used to secure a gemstone to a dop-stick.</dt>
-<dt><b>Emerald cut</b>&mdash;a rectangular or square faceted stone with beveled corners whose surfaces are covered with several series of rectangular facets.</dt>
-<dt><b>Eocene</b>&mdash;a division of geologic time, estimated to be the time from 50 to 40 million years ago; one of the older divisions of the Cenozoic era.</dt>
-<dt><b>Extrusive rock</b>&mdash;igneous rock that has been extruded or forced out onto the earth&rsquo;s surface.</dt>
-<dt><b>Facet</b>&mdash;a single plane polished surface on a faceted gem.</dt>
-<dt><b>Facet head</b>&mdash;a device used in the cutting and polishing of faceted gems; used to control the placement of facets and their relative angles (<a href="#fig7">fig. 7</a>).</dt>
-<dt><b>Facet table</b>&mdash;the equipment used in the cutting and polishing of faceted gems and the table on which most of the equipment is mounted (<a href="#fig7">fig. 7</a>).</dt>
-<dt><b>Feldspar</b>&mdash;a group of closely related silicate minerals including orthoclase, microcline, sanidine, plagioclase, labradorite, and others.</dt>
-<dt><b>Fire</b>&mdash;the reflections of variously colored light from a precious opal; also the different colors of light reflected from a faceted gem owing to the dispersion of the mineral.</dt>
-<dt><b>Fracture</b>&mdash;the texture of a freshly broken surface other than a cleavage surface, described as conchoidal, even, splintery, etc.</dt>
-<dt><b>Gem</b>&mdash;a cut and polished gemstone.</dt>
-<dt><b>Gemology</b>&mdash;the science dealing with the study of gemstones.</dt>
-<dt><b>Gemstone</b>&mdash;a mineral suitable for cutting into a gem; the term gemstones is frequently used collectively to include both cut and polished stones and rough stones.</dt>
-<dt><b>Geode</b>&mdash;a rounded or spherical rock cavity; commonly lined with crystals.</dt>
-<dt><b>Girdle</b>&mdash;the portion of a faceted gem separating the crown from the pavilion; the girdle may or may not be polished and usually contains about 2 percent of the total depth of the gem (<a href="#fig6">fig. 6</a>).</dt>
-<dt><b>Gneiss</b>&mdash;a coarse-grained metamorphic rock having segregations of granular and platy minerals that give it a more or less banded appearance without well-developed schistosity.</dt>
-<dt><b>Grain</b> (pearl grain)&mdash;a unit of weight equal to 0.05 gram or 0.25 carat; not the same as the Troy grain.</dt>
-<dt class="pb" id="Page_33">33</dt>
-<dt><b>Granite</b>&mdash;a granular igneous rock composed mostly of quartz, feldspar, and commonly mica and/or hornblende.</dt>
-<dt><b>Hexagonal</b>&mdash;having six angles and six sides; a crystal system in which the crystal faces are referred to four intersecting axes; three of these axes are equal, lie in the same plane, and intersect at angles of 60 degrees; the fourth axis is perpendicular to the other three.</dt>
-<dt><b>Igneous rock</b>&mdash;rock formed by solidification from a hot melt.</dt>
-<dt><b>Index of refraction</b>&mdash;a measure of the relative ability of a gemstone to &ldquo;bend&rdquo; incident light rays; sine of the angle of incidence of a light ray divided by the sine of the angle of refraction.</dt>
-<dt><b>Intrusive rock</b>&mdash;rock that has been pushed (usually in a molten state) among pre-existing rock strata, commonly along faults or fissures. Intrusive rocks do not reach the earth&rsquo;s surface but are commonly exposed at the surface by later erosion.</dt>
-<dt><b>Isometric</b>&mdash;a crystal system in which the crystal faces are referred to three equal intersecting axes at right angles to each other.</dt>
-<dt><b>Lap</b>&mdash;a disc-shaped piece of metal or other material which is impregnated with diamond dust, or some other cutting or polishing agent, that is revolved while the gemstone is worked against it.</dt>
-<dt><b>Lap plate</b>&mdash;a metal plate to which a cutting or polishing lap is attached, usually by means of a threaded bolt and wing nut. The lap plate is attached to the shaft which is turned by the motor under the facet table.</dt>
-<dt><b>Lapidary</b>&mdash;one who practices the lapidary arts; a gem cutter.</dt>
-<dt><b>Limestone</b>&mdash;a sedimentary rock composed mostly of calcium carbonate.</dt>
-<dt><b>Luster</b>&mdash;the appearance of the freshly broken or unweathered surface of a mineral in reflected light (<a class="pgref" href="#Page_5">p. 5</a>).</dt>
-<dt><b>Main facet</b>&mdash;as applied to the standard American brilliant cut, one of the first eight facets cut on either the crown or pavilion of a gem (<a href="#fig6">fig. 6</a>).</dt>
-<dt><b>Matrix</b>&mdash;the material in which a specific mineral is embedded; also the rock to which one end of a crystal is attached.</dt>
-<dt><b>Metamorphic rock</b>&mdash;rock that has been changed from its original state by heat, pressure, chemical action, or some combination of these factors.</dt>
-<dt><b>Millimeter</b>&mdash;&sup1;/&#8321;&#8320; centimeter; approximately &sup1;/&#8322;&#8325; inch.</dt>
-<dt><b>Mineralogy</b>&mdash;the science concerned with the study of minerals, including their occurrence, composition, forms, properties, and structure.</dt>
-<dt><b>Monoclinic</b>&mdash;a crystal system in which the crystal faces are described in relation to three intersecting unequal axes, two of which are at right angles and the third inclined.</dt>
-<dt><b>Oligocene</b>&mdash;a division of geologic time, estimated to be the time from 40 to 28 million years ago; part of the Cenozoic era.</dt>
-<dt><b>Opaque</b>&mdash;does not transmit light.</dt>
-<dt><b>Orbicular</b>&mdash;containing orbs or spherical or eye-like markings or structures.</dt>
-<dt><b>Orthorhombic</b>&mdash;a crystal system in which crystal faces are referred to three unequal intersecting axes at right angles.</dt>
-<dt><b>Pavilion</b>&mdash;the portion of a faceted gem below the girdle (<a href="#fig6">fig. 6</a>).</dt>
-<dt><b>Pegmatite</b>&mdash;a body of coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock, commonly lens or dike shaped.</dt>
-<dt><b>Perthitic</b>&mdash;a plaid-patterned structure resulting from intermixture of soda- and potash-rich feldspars.</dt>
-<dt><b>Phantom crystal</b>&mdash;a crystal outline seen within another crystal, mostly due to entrapping of inclusions during the crystal&rsquo;s growth.</dt>
-<dt><b>Pleochroism</b>&mdash;the property of transmitting different colors of light in different crystallographic directions.</dt>
-<dt><b>Point</b>&mdash;a unit of weight equal to &sup1;/&#8321;&#8320;&#8320; (0.01) carat.</dt>
-<dt><b>Porous</b>&mdash;containing pores or void spaces.</dt>
-<dt><b>Precambrian</b>&mdash;a division of geologic time, estimated to be all of geologic time prior to 550 million years ago; the time before the Paleozoic era.</dt>
-<dt><b>Preform</b>&mdash;a gemstone that has been ground to a rough outline of the finished shape of a gem.</dt>
-<dt><b>Rhyolite</b>&mdash;a fine-grained extrusive or shallow intrusive igneous rock of approximately the same composition as granite.</dt>
-<dt><b>Rough</b>&mdash;uncut, not worked by a lapidary, not cut and polished.</dt>
-<dt><b>Schist</b>&mdash;a metamorphic rock that contains an abundance of oriented platy minerals that enable the rock to be split with relative ease parallel to the flat surfaces of the platy minerals.</dt>
-<dt><b>Silicified</b>&mdash;replaced by or containing a large amount of quartz or silica.</dt>
-<dt><b>Skill facet</b>&mdash;a term often used for the pavilion girdle facets of the standard American brilliant cut (<a href="#fig6">fig. 6</a>).</dt>
-<dt><b>Specific gravity</b>&mdash;the weight in air divided by the loss of weight in water at a given temperature, or the weight of an object in air divided by the weight of an equal volume of water; also called relative density; the most commonly used standard temperature for this measurement is 4&deg; C. or 39.2&deg; F.</dt>
-<dt><b>Star facet</b>&mdash;one of the eight facets surrounding the table facet of a standard American brilliant cut (<a href="#fig6">fig. 6</a>).</dt>
-<dt><b>Step cut</b>&mdash;a mode of faceting in which the surface of the gem is covered by a series of square or rectangular facets; stones thusly cut are usually square, rectangular, or irregular with straight sides in outline.</dt>
-<dt><b>Streak</b>&mdash;the color of a mineral when finely powdered; usually determined by rubbing the mineral against a piece of unglazed porcelain.</dt>
-<dt class="pb" id="Page_34">34</dt>
-<dt><b>Symmetry</b>&mdash;the number, location, and balanced arrangement of crystal faces in reference to the crystallographic axes or other crystallographic planes or directions.</dt>
-<dt><b>Synthetic gem</b>&mdash;a gemstone manufactured by man that has approximately the same chemical composition and properties as a natural gemstone.</dt>
-<dt><b>Table facet</b>&mdash;the large horizontal facet found on the crown of many gems, often called simply the table (<a href="#fig6">fig. 6</a>).</dt>
-<dt><b>Tenacity</b>&mdash;the resistance of minerals to breakage, described by such terms as malleable, ductile, sectile, and brittle (<a class="pgref" href="#Page_6">p. 6</a>).</dt>
-<dt><b>Termination</b>&mdash;the end of a crystal that is completely enclosed by crystal faces, the crystal end that is not attached to the matrix.</dt>
-<dt><b>Tertiary</b>&mdash;a division of geologic time, estimated to be the time from 60 to 1 million years ago; the Tertiary includes the Paleocene, Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene, and Pliocene epochs (from oldest to youngest).</dt>
-<dt><b>Tetragonal</b>&mdash;having four angles; a crystal system in which the crystal faces are referred to three axes at right angles to each other, two of which are equal and the third longer or shorter.</dt>
-<dt><b>Translucent</b>&mdash;allowing the passage of light but diffusing it sufficiently so that objects on the other side cannot be clearly distinguished.</dt>
-<dt><b>Transparent</b>&mdash;clear, allowing free passage of light so that objects on the other side can be readily distinguished; opposite of opaque.</dt>
-<dt><b>Triclinic</b>&mdash;a crystal system in which the crystal faces are referred to three unequal axes, none of which are at right angles.</dt>
-<dt><b>Tumbling</b>&mdash;a process of polishing irregularly shaped gemstones (<a class="pgref" href="#Page_17">p. 17</a>).</dt>
-<dt><b>Vein</b>&mdash;a tabular, irregular, or twisting mineral deposit that is thin in relation to its length and breadth, usually the result of solution or hydrothermal activity.</dt>
-<dt><b>Vitreous</b>&mdash;having luster, general appearance, or physical properties similar to glass.</dt>
-<dt><b>Vug</b>&mdash;an unfilled rock cavity, commonly lined with crystals; may later become filled by minerals owing to solution or hydrothermal activity.</dt></dl>
-<h2 id="c45">SELECTED REFERENCES</h2>
-<p class="revint"><span class="sc">Anderson, B. W.</span> (1948) Gem testing: Emerson,
-New York.</p>
-<p class="revint"><span class="sc">Baker, C. L.</span> (1935) Metallic and non-metallic
-minerals and ores (precious stones), <i>in</i> The
-geology of Texas, Vol. II, Structural and economic
-geology: Univ. Texas Bull. 3401, Jan. 1,
-1934, pp. 568-569.</p>
-<p class="revint"><span class="sc">Barnes, V. E.</span> (1940) North American tektites:
-Univ. Texas Pub. 3945, Dec. 1, 1939, pp. 477-582.</p>
-<p class="revint"><span class="sc">Dake, H. C.</span>, <span class="sc">Fleener, F. L.</span>, and <span class="sc">Wilson, B. H.</span>
-(1938) Quartz family minerals: Whittlesey
-House, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New
-York.</p>
-<p class="revint"><span class="sc">Ford, W. E.</span> (1932) A textbook of mineralogy
-(4th ed.): John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New
-York.</p>
-<p class="revint"><span class="sc">Kraus, E. H.</span>, and <span class="sc">Slawson, C. B.</span> (1947) Gems
-and gem materials (5th ed.): McGraw-Hill
-Book Company, Inc., New York.</p>
-<p class="revint"><span class="sc">Kunz, G. F.</span> (1892) Gems and precious stones of
-North America (2d ed.): Scientific Publishing
-Company, New York.</p>
-<p class="revint"><span class="sc">Pough, F. H.</span> (1953) A field guide to rocks and
-minerals: Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.</p>
-<p class="revint"><span class="sc">Simpson, B. W.</span> (1958) Gem trails of Texas:
-Granbury, Texas.</p>
-<p class="revint"><span class="sc">Sinkankas, John</span> (1955) Gem cutting: D. Van
-Nostrand Company, Inc., Princeton, New
-Jersey.</p>
-<p class="revint">&mdash;&mdash; (1959) Gemstones of North America:
-D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc., Princeton,
-New Jersey.</p>
-<p class="revint"><span class="sc">Smith, G. F. H.</span> (1958) Gemstones (13th ed.),
-revised by F. C. Phillips: Methuen and Company,
-Ltd., London.</p>
-<p class="revint"><span class="sc">Sperisen, F. J.</span> (1950) The art of the lapidary:
-The Bruce Publishing Company, Milwaukee,
-Wisconsin.</p>
-<p class="revint"><span class="sc">Sterrett, D. B.</span> (1913) Gems and precious
-stones, <i>in</i> Mineral resources of the United
-States, Calendar Year 1912, Part II, Non-metals:
-U. S. Geol. Survey, pp. 1023-1060.</p>
-<div class="pb" id="Page_35">35</div>
-<h3><a id="plateI">Plate I</a></h3>
-<div class="img" id="fig21">
-<img src="images/i11.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="626" />
-<p class="caption">A
-<br />Gem-quality celestite crystals from Travis County, Texas. Twice natural size. Lower portion of the crystals is colorless; the tips are dark blue.</p>
-</div>
-<div class="img" id="fig22">
-<img src="images/i11a.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="659" />
-<p class="caption">B
-<br />Opalized wood from the Texas Gulf Coastal Plain. Specimen at left is rich brown and tan; specimen at right is fossil palm wood and is black, reddish brown, and white. One-third natural size.</p>
-</div>
-<div class="pb" id="Page_36">36</div>
-<h3><a id="plateII">Plate II</a></h3>
-<div class="img" id="fig23">
-<img src="images/i12.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="657" />
-<p class="caption">A
-<br />Gem-quality garnet crystals and faceted gem from Gillespie County, Texas. Natural size.</p>
-</div>
-<div class="img" id="fig24">
-<img src="images/i12a.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="682" />
-<p class="caption">B
-<br />Labradorite from Brewster County, Texas. Both stones are pale yellow. One and a half times natural size.</p>
-</div>
-<div class="pb" id="Page_37">37</div>
-<h3><a id="plateIII">Plate III</a></h3>
-<div class="img" id="fig25">
-<img src="images/i12c.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="727" />
-<p class="caption">A
-<br />Pink microcline crystal from Burnet County, Texas.</p>
-</div>
-<div class="img" id="fig26">
-<img src="images/i12d.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="547" />
-<p class="caption">B
-<br />Smoky quartz from Burnet County, Texas. Natural size. Colorless crystal at center back is included for color comparison.</p>
-</div>
-<div class="pb" id="Page_38">38</div>
-<h3><a id="plateIV">Plate IV</a></h3>
-<div class="img" id="fig27">
-<img src="images/i13.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="570" />
-<p class="caption">Polished agate from gravels of the Rio Grande near Zapata, Zapata County, Texas. Bands are blue and gray; other inclusions are brown, yellow, and reddish. One and a half times natural size.</p>
-</div>
-<div class="pb" id="Page_39">39</div>
-<h3><a id="plateV">Plate V</a></h3>
-<div class="img" id="fig28">
-<img src="images/i13b.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="289" />
-<p class="caption">A
-<br />Texas tektites (bediasites) showing variety of surface features. Natural size.</p>
-</div>
-<div class="img" id="fig29">
-<img src="images/i13c.jpg" alt="" width="508" height="800" />
-<p class="caption">B
-<br />Topaz crystal from a pegmatite dike near Streeter, Mason County, Texas. Natural size. Measurements: 1&frac12; by 1&#8541; by 3 inches; weight: 194 grams (970 carats); pale blue; mostly gem quality.</p>
-</div>
-<div class="pb" id="Page_40">40</div>
-<h3><a id="plateVI">Plate VI</a></h3>
-<div class="img" id="fig30">
-<img src="images/i14.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="546" />
-<p class="caption">A
-<br />Topaz from stream gravels near Streeter, Mason County, Texas. Natural size. Left to right: colorless worn pebble; emerald-cut pale-blue topaz, weight 10 carats; pale-blue worn pebble, weight 205 carats; step out sky-blue topaz, weight 13 carats; pale-blue worn pebble.</p>
-</div>
-<div class="img" id="fig31">
-<img src="images/i14a.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="708" />
-<p class="caption">B
-<br />Tourmaline crystals in schist from Llano County, Texas.</p>
-</div>
-<div class="pb" id="Page_41">41</div>
-<h2 id="c46">Index</h2>
-<p class="center"><span class="ab">A</span> <a class="ab" href="#index_B">B</a> <span class="ab">C</span> <a class="ab" href="#index_D">D</a> <a class="ab" href="#index_E">E</a> <span class="ab">F</span> <span class="ab">G</span> <span class="ab">H</span> <span class="ab">I</span> <span class="ab">J</span> <a class="ab" href="#index_K">K</a> <span class="ab">L</span> <a class="ab" href="#index_M">M</a> <span class="ab">N</span> <span class="ab">O</span> <a class="ab" href="#index_P">P</a> <span class="ab">Q</span> <span class="ab">R</span> <a class="ab" href="#index_S">S</a> <span class="ab">T</span> <a class="ab" href="#index_U">U</a> <span class="ab">V</span> <a class="ab" href="#index_W">W</a> <span class="ab">X</span> <span class="ab">Y</span> <a class="ab" href="#index_Z">Z</a></p>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_A"><b>A</b></dt>
-<dt>actinolite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a></dt>
-<dt>agate: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_38">38</a></dt>
-<dt>agatized wood: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_27">27</a></dt>
-<dt>allanite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a></dt>
-<dt>almandite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">22</a></dt>
-<dt>amazonite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_23">23</a></dt>
-<dt>amazon stone: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_23">23</a></dt>
-<dt>amber: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_18">18</a></dt>
-<dt>amethyst: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a></dt>
-<dt>Amethyst Hill: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a></dt>
-<dt>amorphous gemstones: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_9">9</a></dt>
-<dt>andalusite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_30">30</a></dt>
-<dt>Arkansas: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_19">19</a></dt>
-<dt>Armstrong County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a></dt>
-<dt>augite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_28">28</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_B"><b>B</b></dt>
-<dt>Baringer Hill, Llano County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a></dt>
-<dt>baroque pearls and/or stones: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a></dt>
-<dt>bediasite (tektite): <a class="pgref" href="#Page_28">28</a>-29, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_39">39</a></dt>
-<dt>beryl: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_18">18</a></dt>
-<dt>Big Bend National Park: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_27">27</a></dt>
-<dt>biotite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_23">23</a></dt>
-<dt>Blanco County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">22</a></dt>
-<dt>Brazos County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a></dt>
-<dt>Brazos River: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a></dt>
-<dt>Brewster County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_36">36</a></dt>
-<dt>brilliancy: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_5">5</a></dt>
-<dt>brilliant cut, standard American: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_16">16</a></dt>
-<dt>Brown County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_19">19</a></dt>
-<dt>Burleson County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a></dt>
-<dt>Burnet County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_37">37</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_C"><b>C</b></dt>
-<dt>cabochon gems: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_10">10</a>-12</dt>
-<dt>Caddo Lake: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a></dt>
-<dt>carbuncle: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">22</a></dt>
-<dt>carnelian: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_27">27</a></dt>
-<dt>cassiterite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a></dt>
-<dt>celestite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_35">35</a></dt>
-<dt>chalcedony: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_27">27</a></dt>
-<dd>geodes: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a></dd>
-<dt>chuck: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_17">17</a></dt>
-<dt>citrine: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a>-26</dt>
-<dt>cleavage: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_13">13</a></dt>
-<dt>coal: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">22</a></dt>
-<dt>Coke County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_19">19</a></dt>
-<dt>color: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_5">5</a></dt>
-<dt>Colorado River: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a></dt>
-<dt>Concho River: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a></dt>
-<dt>crown girdle facets: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_17">17</a></dt>
-<dt>crown of gemstone: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_16">16</a></dt>
-<dt>crystals: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_7">7</a>-9</dt>
-<dt>crystal systems: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_7">7</a></dt>
-<dt>crytolite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a></dt>
-<dt>Culberson County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_31">31</a></dt>
-<dt>culet: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_13">13</a></dt>
-<dt>cutting and polishing: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_10">10</a>-17</dt>
-<dt>cutting lap: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_13">13</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_D"><b>D</b></dt>
-<dt>DeWitt County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a></dt>
-<dt>diamond: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_19">19</a></dt>
-<dd>saw: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_11">11</a></dd>
-<dt>diaphaneity: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_5">5</a></dt>
-<dt>dispersion: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_6">6</a></dt>
-<dt>dopping: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_13">13</a></dt>
-<dt>dop-stick: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_17">17</a></dt>
-<dt>dop-wax: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_17">17</a></dt>
-<dt>dravite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_30">30</a></dt>
-<dt>durability: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_6">6</a></dt>
-<dt>Duval County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_24">24</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_E"><b>E</b></dt>
-<dt>El Paso County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_31">31</a></dt>
-<dt>emerald cut: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_15">15</a></dt>
-<dt>epidote: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_19">19</a>-20</dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_F"><b>F</b></dt>
-<dt>facet, kinds of: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_13">13</a></dt>
-<dd>main: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_16">16</a></dd>
-<dd>skill: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_16">16</a></dd>
-<dd>table: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_14">14</a></dd>
-<dt>faceted gems and/or stones: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_13">13</a>-17</dt>
-<dt>Fayette County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a></dt>
-<dt>fergusonite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a></dt>
-<dt>fire: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_5">5</a></dt>
-<dt>Fisher County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_19">19</a></dt>
-<dt>fluorite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a></dt>
-<dt>Foard County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_19">19</a></dt>
-<dt>fossil wood: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_20">20</a>-21, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">22</a></dt>
-<dt>fracture: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_6">6</a></dt>
-<dt>Franklin Mountains: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_18">18</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_G"><b>G</b></dt>
-<dt>gadolinite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a>-22</dt>
-<dt>garnet: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_36">36</a></dt>
-<dt>gemstones, by kinds: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_18">18</a>-31</dt>
-<dt>geodes, celestite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_19">19</a></dt>
-<dt>Georgia: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a></dt>
-<dt>Gillespie County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_36">36</a></dt>
-<dt>girdle facets: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_16">16</a></dt>
-<dt>gneiss: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">22</a></dt>
-<dt>Gonzales County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a></dt>
-<dt>grain: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a></dt>
-<dt>gram: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_7">7</a></dt>
-<dt>graphite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_30">30</a></dt>
-<dt>Grimes County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a></dt>
-<dt>grinding: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_12">12</a></dt>
-<dt>Guadalupe River: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a></dt>
-<dt>Gulf Coast: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a></dt>
-<dt>Gulf Coastal Plain: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_35">35</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_H"><b>H</b></dt>
-<dt>hardness: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_6">6</a></dt>
-<dt>Hudspeth County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_31">31</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_I"><b>I</b></dt>
-<dt>index of refraction: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_5">5</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_J"><b>J</b></dt>
-<dt>jasper: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_27">27</a>-28</dt>
-<dt>Jeff Davis County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_31">31</a></dt>
-<dt>jet: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">22</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_K"><b>K</b></dt>
-<dt>Kinney County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_28">28</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_L"><b>L</b></dt>
-<dt>labradorite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_36">36</a></dt>
-<dt>Lake Buchanan: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a></dt>
-<dt>Lampasas County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_19">19</a></dt>
-<dt>lap plate: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_13">13</a></dt>
-<dt>Lavaca County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a></dt>
-<dt>Lee County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a></dt>
-<dt>lignite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">22</a></dt>
-<dt>Live Oak County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a></dt>
-<dt>Llano County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_40">40</a></dt>
-<dt>Llano River: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a></dt>
-<dt>luster: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_5">5</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_M"><b>M</b></dt>
-<dt>Madeira topaz: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a></dt>
-<dt>Mason County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_40">40</a></dt>
-<dt class="pb" id="Page_42">42</dt>
-<dt>Massachusetts: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a></dt>
-<dt>Maverick County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_18">18</a></dt>
-<dt>microcline: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_23">23</a>-24, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_37">37</a></dt>
-<dt>Mohs scale of hardness: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_6">6</a></dt>
-<dt>moonstone: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_28">28</a></dt>
-<dt>Mount Bonnell: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_19">19</a></dt>
-<dt>muscovite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_23">23</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_N"><b>N</b></dt>
-<dt>natural glass: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_28">28</a></dt>
-<dt>Needle Peak, Presidio County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_27">27</a></dt>
-<dt>nivenite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a></dt>
-<dt>Nolan County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_19">19</a></dt>
-<dt>Nueces River: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_O"><b>O</b></dt>
-<dt>obsidian: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a></dt>
-<dt>Oklahoma: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a></dt>
-<dt>opal: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_24">24</a></dt>
-<dt>opalized wood: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_35">35</a></dt>
-<dt>orbicular jasper: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_28">28</a></dt>
-<dt>ounce: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_7">7</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_P"><b>P</b></dt>
-<dt>Packsaddle Mountain: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_23">23</a></dt>
-<dt>Packsaddle schist: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_30">30</a></dt>
-<dt>palm wood: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_35">35</a></dt>
-<dt>Palo Duro Canyon: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a></dt>
-<dt>pavilion: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_16">16</a></dt>
-<dd>facets: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_16">16</a></dd>
-<dd>girdle facets: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_17">17</a></dd>
-<dt>pearl: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_24">24</a>-25</dt>
-<dt>pegmatites and/or pegmatite dikes: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_39">39</a></dt>
-<dt>petrified wood: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a></dt>
-<dt>phantom crystals: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a></dt>
-<dt>pistacite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_20">20</a></dt>
-<dt>pleochroism: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_5">5</a></dt>
-<dt>point: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_7">7</a></dt>
-<dt>polishing: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_17">17</a></dt>
-<dd>lap: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_16">16</a></dd>
-<dt>preformed stone: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_16">16</a></dt>
-<dt>preforming: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_15">15</a></dt>
-<dt>Presidio County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_28">28</a></dt>
-<dt>properties of gemstones: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_5">5</a>-7</dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_Q"><b>Q</b></dt>
-<dt>quartz: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a>-28, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_30">30</a></dt>
-<dd>smoky: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_38">38</a></dd>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_R"><b>R</b></dt>
-<dt>radioactive elements: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_22">22</a></dt>
-<dt>radioactivity of gadolinite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a></dt>
-<dt>rarity: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_6">6</a></dt>
-<dt>Reeves County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_27">27</a></dt>
-<dt>Rio Grande: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a></dt>
-<dd>gravels of: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_38">38</a></dd>
-<dd>Valley: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_27">27</a></dd>
-<dt>rock crystal: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a></dt>
-<dt>rose quartz: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_S"><b>S</b></dt>
-<dt>Sabine River: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a></dt>
-<dt>sanding: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_12">12</a></dt>
-<dt>sanidine: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_28">28</a></dt>
-<dt>sawing: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_10">10</a></dt>
-<dt>scheelite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_20">20</a></dt>
-<dt>schorl: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_30">30</a></dt>
-<dt>size: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_7">7</a></dt>
-<dt>&ldquo;skill&rdquo; facets: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_16">16</a></dt>
-<dt>&ldquo;slab&rdquo; of gem materials: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_11">11</a></dt>
-<dt>Smithsonian Institution: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a></dt>
-<dt>smoky quartz: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_37">37</a></dt>
-<dt>smoky topaz: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a></dt>
-<dt>Spanish topaz: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a></dt>
-<dt>specific gravity: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_7">7</a></dt>
-<dt>spinel: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_28">28</a></dt>
-<dt>star facets: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_17">17</a></dt>
-<dt>step cut: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_15">15</a></dt>
-<dt>streak: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_6">6</a></dt>
-<dt>synthetic gems: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_7">7</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_T"><b>T</b></dt>
-<dt>table facet: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_15">15</a></dt>
-<dt>tektite (bediasite): <a class="pgref" href="#Page_28">28</a>-29, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_39">39</a></dt>
-<dt>tenacity: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_6">6</a></dt>
-<dt>thorogummite: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a></dt>
-<dt>topaz: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a>-30, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_40">40</a></dt>
-<dd>quartz: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a></dd>
-<dt>tourmaline: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_30">30</a>-31, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_40">40</a></dt>
-<dt>Town Mountain, Llano County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_30">30</a></dt>
-<dt>transparency: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_6">6</a></dt>
-<dt>Travis County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_35">35</a></dt>
-<dt>Trinity River: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a></dt>
-<dt>tumbled gems: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_17">17</a></dt>
-<dt>turquoise: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_31">31</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_U"><b>U</b></dt>
-<dt>U. S. National Museum: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_30">30</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_V"><b>V</b></dt>
-<dt>value of gemstones: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_7">7</a></dt>
-<dt>Val Verde County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_24">24</a></dt>
-<dt>valverdites: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_24">24</a></dt>
-<dt>Van Horn, Hudspeth County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_27">27</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_W"><b>W</b></dt>
-<dt>Walker County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_29">29</a></dt>
-<dt>Washington County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_20">20</a></dt>
-<dt>Webb County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_21">21</a></dt>
-<dt>weight, units of: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a class="pgref" href="#Page_25">25</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<dl class="index">
-<dt class="center" id="index_Z"><b>Z</b></dt>
-<dt>Zapata County: <a class="pgref" href="#Page_38">38</a></dt>
-</dl>
-<h2>Transcriber&rsquo;s Notes</h2>
-<ul>
-<li>Silently corrected a few typos.</li>
-<li>Renumbered figures 6 and 7 (and references to them) to correspond to their order in the printed book.</li>
-<li>Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook is public-domain in the country of publication.</li>
-<li>In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by _underscores_.</li>
-</ul>
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-<pre>
-
-
-
-
-
-End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Texas Gemstones, by Elbert A. King, Jr.
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