There are some ten tons of jewels used at the Exposition.
Fifty thousand jewels are used on the Tower alone, accenting in the main
its architectural feature.
These jewels are of live colors - mostly canary and white glass, ruby,
emerald, aquamarine.
Mathematical calculations have been made by expert physicists to show at
just what angle the jewel must be cut.
These jewels were made in Austria.
Nearly every village in Austria has its glass workers - the finest
workers in their line in the world.
Sand of a peculiar quality is most carefully prepared, mixed with other
ingredients, the whole being brought to a molten state.
This glass is then poured into molds.
It is taken out of the molds, the casts being carefully trimmed by hand.
The principal tool used is a rotating sanded wheel.
The prism is polished by hand with tin, so as to make the facets
perfectly smooth. This glass must be very hard in order to reflect
sufficiently well.
The glass is called Sumatra Stone. It is tinted to counterfeit jewels.
These jewels are held in place by metallic bands from which extend small
arms at the back of each jewel to hold tiny mirrors which assist in the
reflection.
Each jewel is suspended from a hook so that it is in constant vibration,
in order to catch the rays of light most advantageously.
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As you have now rehearsed your history and have in mind what has been
done by the United States in regard to the Panama Canal (the Tower of
Jewels), walk thru the Court of the Universe to the Esplanade where
stands the Column of Progress.