three

distinct colors,

and those of two colors as part green and part red, are so strong at the point of contact as to admit of being cut into gems showing one-half green, either pale or dark, and the other half red or a delicate pink.

The first tourmalines were found near the surface and it was then thought that the crystals formed near the light, but subsequen't developments have proven that the rarest crystals are found at great depth. The greater the depth the more perfect the formation and more exquisite the shade of the gem.

their size and perfection. They are found in a quartz and granite formation, and their individual form is generally like a six-sided lead-pencil and about the same size, though specimens have been mined measuring as large as a foot in length and three inches across. Several gems have been cut by the lapidists here which varied in weight from one hundred to one hundred and fifty carats. At Mesa Grande the tourmaline is found in isolated crystals with flawless prisms and terminations.

Tourmaline is quite

a complex mineral, no less than one dozen elements entering into its composition. It is this great variety of chemicals combined which gives to tourmaline its marvelous range of colors. Tourmaline is found in the colorless variety (Achorite), the red (Rubelite), the (Indocolite), sometimes called Brazilian Sapphire; the green, yellowish green, and in pink, claret, black, brown and all shades of these colors. Often crystals are found showing as many as

The hardness of tourmaline is slightly less than kunsite, its specific gravity three, and lustre vitreous. If heated or rubbed tourmaline becomes electric and will attract small objects. Its distinguishing property is polaric electricity; when heated, one end of a tourmaline crystal is found to be positive, the other negative. Tourmaline possesses double refractive power, and also has the power

SORTING TOPAZ STONES.

of polarizing light, and because of this property is used in analyzing other minerals.

Hyacinth, another brilliant gem, was discovered by pure accident by men in the employ of a local company who were prospecting for tourmaline. The mine situated on the site of the original discovery, and which has furnished the most perfect gems placed on the market thus far, is located at Dos Cabezos and is owned and extensively worked by the company mentioned.

The hyacinth is a very beautiful gem, unusually brilliant, and ranges in color from a glowing red, through the red to brown, and all the brown shades to a light golden yellow. The deep red and light yellow are the most beautiful and most in demand. The many tints found in the bloom of the nasturium are reproduced in shimmering beauty in this gem.

Many deposits of beryl have been found in San Diego County. Everyone is familiar with the beautiful green stone, the emerald. Beryl is the emerald when

blue it is known as aqua-marine; when greenish blue it is Siberian aqua-marine; and when it is greenish yellow it is called aqua-marine chrysolite. There is also a golden beryl which is much sought after, and the pink beryl, rarest and most beautiful of all forms, except the emerald. Specimens of green beryl are generally filled with flaws. The crystals of other colors are usually flawless and of noble size.

This handsome mineral belongs to the primitive formation, and is found in veins of quartz and granite. It crystallizes in six-sided prisms, and its hardness is as great as that of kunsite. It has a slight double refraction, cleavage imperfect, and becomes electric by rubbing. The beryl deposits of San Diego County are furnishing gems of great purity, and it is confidently believed that the true emerald beryl, the true ruby and probably the diamond will yet reward the searcher. The topaz-named topazo, to seek-is

MEN AT WORK IN POCKET OF TOPAZ, QUARTZ AND BERYL.

mined in San Diego County in commercial quantities. Many gems of great beauty and value have been cut by different lapidists of San Diego. The topaz is found in a variety of colors, the blue being the most valuable by reason of its rarity. There is a pink variety called the Brazilian ruby. A pale wine yellow topaz is called Saxony: when white, tinted delicately with blue, it is termed Siberian, and when colorless or white it is known as "Slaves Diamond."

Topaz is distinguished from beryl by weight and hardness, beryl being much lighter and topaz much harder. Topaz is harder than than kunsite, and its specific gravity is three and five-tenths. One specimen of sapphire only has been. mined in San Diego

country. The more precious varieties. have all been small, and have rather been valuable because of the promise they hold out of future larger finds than because they have been of much worth in themselves. Diamonds have been found in North Carolina, in Colorado and in California, and, recently, around Lake Superior and in Wisconsin. New Mexico has produced many jewels, particularly some valuable turquoises. The finest garnets in the world are also found in that state. Sapphires and rubies have been discovered and mined on the Missouri River near Helena, Montana, and Colorado is rich in beryls. The golden beryl has been found in Connecticut and the aquamarine variety near Stoneham, Maine. Fresh-water pearls have been taken from

County. A ruby has been found in twined crystals. It is softer than the true ruby and possesses little value. The indications are such that scientists concede that both these elegant gems will yet be added to California's collection of native gems.

While San Diego County leads in the gem industry, diamonds, sapphires, rubies, garnets, beryls and emeralds have been unearthed in different parts of the

the waters of western rivers to the amount of many thousands of dollars.

The photographs reproduced herewith show mines in various parts of the country, indicating that the operations are mostly small, but that there is enough value in the finds of the present workers to keep them delving after the hoped-for bigger brothers of the gems already mined. And discoveries like those in San Diego County are not discouraging.