Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-12-01
Souas Facts abous Dismond..

gems we take the following statements in
reference to the diamond:
"a letter was lately published from Sir
David Brewster, Un q curious optical phe-
nomenon that had occurred in the con-
struction of diagonal lens. The dia-
mond, previous to working, had all the
appearance of internal brilliancy but
after being polished it presented series
of stratiied shades, which rendered it use
less for the required purpose. 1t after
wards appeared that lapidaries were ac-
quainted with this appearance, which
rendered them extremely unwilling to
take the risk on themselves Of cutting up
diamonds for optical purposes. On a
minute examination of this phenomenon,
it appeared that these different shades oc-
Cured in regular strata, each section be-
ing about the one-hundreth part Of on
inch, and each stratum having different
focus, and being of q different degree of
hardness and specific gravity. The infer
ences drawn from the above facts Were
that the diamond was vegetable sub
stance, and that its parts must have been
held in eolution, and subjected to different
degrees of pressure at different stages OF
existence. II, on the contrary, as it has
been generally believed, it is subject to the
laws Of crystallization, its crystals must
necessarily be homogeneous. 'a"'.'
The diamond being the hardest OF all
substances, yields to no file; scratches all
other minerals, and is not touched BY any.
This character has become the most im-
portant of the diamond since the late dis
coVery of the amorphous or compact dia-
mond. It is very frequently tinged light
green, but more rarely with orange, red,
blue, OF black but in setting, these shades
disappear, particularly in the smaller dia-
monds; but there are also known dia-
monds of rose and pissachio-nut green
colors. The blue color is very rare. The
blue diamond of Mr.. Hope, Of London, is
one of extreme beauty and rarity, and is
of immense value; the yellow diamond in
the Museum of Natural History. in Paris,
is likewise very remarkable for its color
and size. The black diamond, which is
perfectly black, although plainly crystal
lied, occurs most frequently in small bris-
tied balls, by crystalline points; the cTys-
tails are very small, grouped together in an
irregular manner, and extremely refractory
to the cut; it is considered the hardest Of
all diamonds. The green diamond Is also
very rare, but l have seen some beautiful
specimens in the Jardin des Plantes and
in Freiberg; the first in the cabinet Of
Able Hauy, and the latter in the cabinet
of Werner.
In Russia, the first diamond was dis
covered in July, 1929, by Humboldt and
Rose, when on their journey to Siberia.
on the west side of the Uralian noun
tains, in the gold-wsshing establish
ments of Observation-Disclosures, be-
longing to Count Schuwalow. The
locality, in connection with the other
circumstances of the place in which the
diamond was found, bears a striking re-
semblance to the diamond district of Bra
iii. The predominating rock of the spot
on the UYalian mountains is quArtzose
chlorite. talcose schist Gtacolumite), with
an admixture of iron pyrites and mica.
wherein We find beds Of red oxide Of iron.
talcose schist, limestone and dolomite.
At most extensive sale of diamonds.
which took place in the summer Of 1887,
at the auction of Rundell s Bridges, Lon
don, there were twenty-four lots put up,
which produced the sum of E45,8l6, near
922s, 900! Some of the prices were as
follows The celebrated Nassak diamond,
which weighs 3574 grains and is Of the
purest water, was purchased for $4,000
Il is considered to have been sold at a
price considerably under its Value A
magnificent pair of brilliant ear.rings.
weighing 223t grains, formerly the prop
erty of Queen Charlotte, were bought for
$65, 900, price infinitely below their usu-
ally estimated value. A sapphire, 754
carats, set with brilliants for brooch,
sold at $2,465. .r.a ,L.. ed. d.. ar
According to Spix and Martius, there
have been produced in Brazil, from l772
to 1918, 1926, ,037 carats OF, diamonds
that is, in the time of the Royal Admin
istration; but that during the Lease, only
!, 100000 earats were produced, which to-
gether make $685. carats, or ! ,S0lt
pounds, thus averaging from fourteen to
fifteen pounds per year |; those brought
into market by contraband being excepted.
The largest diamond is in the possession
Of the Grand Mogul and, according to
Tavernier, resembles in form and size half
q hens egg. It's weight is two hundred
and ninety-seven and three-tixteenths
carats. 1t was found in 1862, in the mine
! Of Colore, short distance to the eAst OF
| Golconda, and is valued at l,12S,Ooo
| francs. It is cut as a rose diamond, ana
is perfectly limpid, with the exception OF
a small fisw at the end of the glrdie.
GoLpEy APHoRIsM.-Gen. Hooker,
in his order assuming command OF the
Denartment of the Northwest, addresses
! sentence TO his military subordinates
:. h;ch deserves to become one Of the gold
ON .nborisms of our country and Of the
English language. He frat announces
tbat be requires energy. earnestness, and
6delity in the performance OF duty, on
me psrt Of every officer and soldier, and
then adds -" No one win consider the
day as ended until the duties Il brings
have been discharged" This profound
moral remark is applicable not only in
the department whose headquarters are at
Cincinnati, not only to those engaged in
military duties,I but to every man and
woman in every sphere Of life. We're
every one to learn it and put itip daily
practice, it would give our national cha
'faeter an elevation, d fa;thfulnesS and
truthfulness now sadly lacking. 1.-The sen-
tence ought TO begiyen to all our young
boys and girls at school, to write in their
COPY books, 90 thatit might be Impressed
upon their minds, and become of practi-
cal power in their lives; and now that
some Of bur ipredehers depart from the
Sacred Word for their texts, they could
find no better text to, preach np9n, than
this !" No one will consider the. day q
ended until the duties It brings have been
discharged! Y; TiStei.. ~ 'l,'s
"WRE," said man, looking, SipF =
bootjack, II haYs places where I keep my
thjnes, and yous ought 10 qkA0G t."