Twelve miles northeast from Victor are the Gem quarries, that produce
variegated marbles of great beauty. Shades of yellow, chocolate, black,
pale blue, crimson and gray, cream-colored, rose, and white. The
markings are such as to produce beautiful effects. The croppings are
strong, and the surface material is apparently not at all injured by the
exposure of centuries to the elements in a region where nearly all rocks
decay and disintegrate rapidly. The outcrop stands boldly above the
adjacent country rock from 10 to 20 feet. The entire ledge or belt is
made up of bands or beds ranging from 3 to 6 feet in thickness. These
strata are separated by thin seams or fractures, but it is reasonable to
presume that this separating line or joint will disappear as depth is
attained. The rock is all susceptible of a high polish, and it
withstands a tremendous crushing force. It was said by the owners that
this had been determined at 28,000 pounds per square inch.
The quantity is large, the variety abundant, and the beauty approaches
that of rare onyx. With these unusual conditions surrounding the
deposit, its marketing should become an industry of no small importance.
The difficulties of transportation are not insurmountable.