gems, jade, nephrite, Australia, Cowell, South Australia

This handbook is a selection of shortened reports by geologists of the South Australian Department of Mines and Energy dealing with some of the semiprecious and ornamental stones in this State. It is not intended to be a comprehensive review of these mineral deposits. Emphasis is placed upon geological and mining aspects of the deposits. With the exception of the Mount Fitton talc and Cowell jade, there is little discussion of the considerable work involved in the treatment and/or cutting and polishing of these minerals to produce saleable or artistic items. Although the minerals discussed in this book, and some others, are grouped by hobbyists and gemmologists into semiprecious, precious or ornamental stones, they are all classed as 'minerals' under the South Australian Mining Act, 1971-1978.