gems, minerals, Russia, Siberia, malachite, chalcedony, Poland, Urals, beryl, aquamarine, topaz, amethyst, agate, jasper

Sinkankas: The work comprises eight memoirs based on the author’s travels in the Urals, Siberia, the Moscow region, and Poland. Of particular gemmological interest are accounts of chalcedony pseudomorphs after gypsum from near Cracow; visits to the Wieliczka and Siberian salt mines; and descriptions of minerals from several Siberian mining districts. The Beresov deposit is noted for its crocoite (“plomb rouge”), which the author analysed without recognising chromium, while the Gumeshevsk copper mine is mentioned for its large masses of malachite. The eighth memoir is especially important for its treatment of aquamarine and topaz from Adun Chilon in Transbaikalia and includes a catalogue of aquamarine and other mineral specimens. Further observations concern Siberian amethyst, including illustrated sceptre-growth crystals, as well as quartz, agate, jasper, and other ornamental stones. The work concludes with geographical observations on Moscow and its surroundings and descriptions and catalogues of Russian fossils.