Geology North Carolina., North Carolina Description and travel., gems

The report presents a comprehensive survey of the physical geography and economically important geological resources of North Carolina, describing the state’s principal geological regions, rocks, soils, minerals, ores, and mining districts. It reviews resources of commercial importance, including gold, iron, copper, coal, building stones, and other mineral products, and summarizes contemporary knowledge of their occurrence and potential exploitation. Of particular gemological interest are the state’s corundum deposits and associated occurrences of ruby and sapphire, as well as other minerals suitable for ornamental or industrial use. The volume provides an important nineteenth-century account of North Carolina’s mineral resources during the period when its corundum deposits were attracting considerable scientific and commercial attention.