The color of the crystals found thus far is bluish,greenish, pinkish brown, yellowish, and colorless. Most of the beryl crystals do not approach gem quality and are entirely unsuitable for any lapidary use. These crystals are commonly several inches long and exceed 1 inch in diameter but are very badly fractured. Berylīeryl crystals have been found in pegmatite dikes in Llano, Blanco, and Gillespie counties. Although the faceted and cabochon-cut stones are not particularly attractive, some of the larger pieces of augite might be utilized for carving. The augite is associated with black spinel and some dark gray to black pieces of natural glass. Specimen sand pieces of cutting quality 1 inch in diameter are common, and fragments over 2 inches in diameter have been found. 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. 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. AugiteĪugite of gem quality occurs near Eagle Flat, Hudspeth County, Texas. The softness of amber limits its use to brooches, necklaces,and other jewelry that is relatively safe from abrasion. Tertiary formations of the Gulf Coastal Plain, but thus far no gem quality material has been found. Occasional finds of poor quality brownish amber have been reported from the
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