The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-20
The Dazzling Gems Found in South Africa-A
Mate for VictOrin's Famous KOh-i-nOOr.

The Dazzling Gems Found in South .Africa-A
Mate for VictOrin's Famous kOh-i-nOOr.
This interesting piece of news comes from Hope
town, South Africa, March 49,
Our little village is filed with unwonted excite
ment, caused by the news that diamond of extra
ordinary briiancy had been found in the colony and
was to be seen in this place by any one who chose to
take the trouble, As you may imagine, not man,
woman, or child that could todde missed the sight
A description and history OF the wonderful stone may
not be uninterestng to your readers and will ac-
cordingly briefly give them.
DISCOVERY OF THE JEWEL.
Mr. Schak van Niekerk, Dutch farmer living on
the banks of the Vaa the discOv0rer Of the first
diamond found in this region. Undeterred by the
adverse criticisms of various connoisseurs he con-
tinued in his work of discovery like man who felt
sure OF success until on the afternoon OF this day.
at O'Clock p. M. Qt is now evening", he brought to
the aroused people of this place the largest diamond
that has yet been found in Africa Before such
proof all envious dsparaging was silenced The
excitement that ensued was indescribable Enthu-
siasts behed mighty city arising in their midst that
would distance all others OF the world.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAMOND.
1t weighs some S3& carats, and is OF the first
water. Competent judges regard it as one OF the
most brilliant in the world. 1t is little over an inch
in length by three-ourths of an inch in breadth and
gters like pure fire. 1t has slight indentation at
end, but this is not likely to impair its value,
and will certainly not hinder its cutting: BY the de-
lighted colOnsts 1t has been called ''Niekerks Pan
delOque, and will probably bear this long after
its original owner is forgotten.
VALUE OF THE DIAMOND
Mr.. Nickerk did not find It by treading the waters
of the Vaal with his naked feet the natives of the
district do, but bought Ii OF HOttentOt or Kaflir
doctor, who used it a charm in his profession for
a horse ten head Of cattle, and five hundred sheep
The first diamond he had the good fortune TO find
he sold to the Governor of the colony for e5O0 but
this last and extraordinary stone he disposed of to
Nessrs. Lianfeld Bros for the round sum Of
e11,20O or nearly $4,000 of your money Even that
was below its real value, for it is now estimated
from e20, 600 TO ESQ 600.
OTHER DIAMONDS FOUND IN AFRICA.
Besides this diamond, several Others have been
found in the same region, all of great purity and
value. Last Sunday Mr.. j. G. Carianus passed
through Saltfans Drift, village in our immediate
neighboThOod, with a diamond in his possession, OF
almond shape Of splendid water, and weighing some
Is carats. The Katiir chief Sebonne also found
by traders TO be in possession Of six diamonds,
weighing from 81 to 10 carats each, all found along
the Vaal; Jantje another Katr chief, found three
diamonds in the same place. Mr. Charles Mons is the
owner of diamond entirely free from spots, weigh
ing II 1915 carats and finally, Mr. julius GerZ had a
diamond that, though small, was regarded as the
purest in the country.