Prospecting of semi-precious stones in Altai in 18th century

The article is devoted to the history of searches for deposits of coloured semi-precious stones in the territory of Altai in the 18thcentury, which were aimed at their industrial exploitation by the stone-cutting factory. A considerable part of the article gives analysis of differentviewpoints of pre-Soviet and modern researchers on the beginning of searches for coloured semi-precious stones in Altai. Pre-Soviet searchersclaimed that Altai was interesting for the Russian government not only for its metals but also for coloured semi-precious stones. Geologicaldevelopment of the territory began when Altai enterprises passed under the control of the Cabinet. The article characterizes the role of scientistsmineralogistsin the study of the deposits of Altai semi-precious stones. For example, P.S. Pallas and E. Patren learnt some peculiarities of Altaimineral resources in the 1770s-1780s. I.M. Renovantz who was a scientist-mineralogist and a teacher at St-Petersburg College of Mines did alot for the study of mineral raw material base of mining enterprises. The activities of searching parties organized by the Cabinet of His EmperorMajesty in 1786 are examined in details. The main result of the geological survey in 1786 was the discovery of some large deposits of colouredsemi-precious stones in the gorges of the Korgon, the Charish, the Uba, the Ulba and other rivers of western and mountainous Altai. The mostvaluable were the stones of the Korgon deposit - violet-grey and red porphyry and jasper. Those rocks could be mined in large monoliths. TheKorgon porphyry deposit with its supplies was inexhaustible. Searches for new stone and mineral deposits were continued later. The discoveryof semi-precious stone - Revnevaya jasper - was the most considerable event in the history of stone-cutting industry of Altai after 1786. Thediscovered deposits of coloured semi-precious stones were the raw material base for the Altai stone industry. Altai lapidary factory became thethird centre of Russian stone industry.

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