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Equal Natural Stones in Chemical and Optical Qualities. To the Editor of The New York Times: In a recent issue of THE Times Mr. Roth schild refers to synthetic stones as imita tions. He says: ‘‘A wonderful imitation if you please * * * but which for all com mercial purposes must always remain an imitation.’’ T should like to be informed by Mr. Roth schild on what authority he calls @ syn thetic ruby or sapphire an imitation. If Mr. Rothschild had taken the trouble to read up on synthetic stones he would have found that a man like Prof. Bauer, the rec ognized authority on precious stones, in a lecture before the German Chemical Society at Frankfort-on-Main, Says: The Puby bulb, in spite of its round shape, shows @ true crystalline formation. In specific weight, hardness, as well as all optical properties, it is identical with the natural stone; in color and brilliancy it vies with the best specimens from the Orient. Prof. Moses of Columbia University has made an exhaustive analysis of the syn thetic sapphire, the following astract of which was published in The Scientific Amer ican Supplement of July 23, 1910. The crystalline, optical, and other char acters determined are closely those of the natural sapphire. In the absence of nat ural faces or gleavages the crystalline system, as determined by the optical tests, may be either hexagonal or tetragonal. The parting figures, however, shown in photos, point to the hexagonal system. Any two natural substances which are as nearly identical in chemical and crystal lographic characters is the specimens sub mitted and natural ‘sapphires “would” be called identical. The difference is one of origin. Mr. Rothschild further says: ‘“‘ Sapphires have ‘greatly advanced in price * * * in fact, their value has doubled since the syn thetic sapphire has been put on the mar ket.””. It is apparent that this is due to the increased interest in the sapphire in gen eral, by virtue of the appearance in the mar ket of the synthetic sapphire, and conse quently the greater demand for the natural sapphire along with that for the synthetic. The synthetic stone, sold for what it is, is not to be compared with the priceless nat ural gem, of which, at best, there are but few. But it is superior in beauty to many a natural ruby and sapphire that is full of flaws and has other defects, making it worthless as a gem stone. SAMUEL HELLER. New York, April 4, 1913.
Newspaper Details
New York Times
New York, New York, US
Mon, Apr 07, 1913
Page 8
Full Page
Clipped by
Gerard M.
FR 10 Jun 2026
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