The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-14
SOMETHING ABOUT DIAMONDS.

from Ine earliest times up TO the beginning
II the eighteenth eentury India was supposed
p be the only diamond-producing country.
he first brought to Europe we're from the
lingdoms of Visapoor and Golconda. They
sere found at the base of the Neela Mulla
fountains, in the neighborhood of the
Irischna and Pomar rivers-a district so
Serile that previously to the discovery of the
teasures contained in its soil, it was little
3 etter than n desert. During the rainy sea-
on the floods descend in torrents from the
fountains, and after their subsistence num-
ers of diamonds are found in the ferruginous
3lnds washed down from the rocks.
The diamonds thus found were conveyed to
10 city of Golconda, where they were dis
bsed Of, either to native princes or foreign
erchants. The qualities of the diamonds
ere distinguished by the names of Hindoo
astes; the best and largest were called
rahma, the second Krischna, the third
ysch, and the fourth Sudra. The use of
&ese gems was formerly regal privilege of
10 Rajahs and Sultans; but as successive
K fnasties were overthrown, diamonds ceased
be the exclusive property of royalty.
The tradition of a valley of diamonds,
nilar to that described in the story of
+ bindbad the Sailor" is of great antiquity.
he celebrated Venetian traveller of the thir-
enth century, Marco Polo, thus relates what
heard on the subject:-'In the summer,
hen the heat is excessive and there is no
ip, they-the Indians-ascend the noun
ihs with great fatigue, as well as consider
e danger, from the number Of snakes with
ich they are infested. Near the summit,
yis said, there are deep valleys, full of
Serns and surrounded by precipices,
opngst which the diamonds are found: and
7e many eagles and white storks, attracted
fthe snakes on which they feed, are accus-
Il -. Nl.asx IL.
in quest of the diamonds take their stand
3r the mouths of the caverns, and from
@nce cast down several pieces of flesh,
6ch the eagles and storks pursue into the
9eys, and carry off with them to the tops
the rocks. Thither the mon Immediately
end, drive the birds away, and recovering
pieces of meat frequently find diamonds
king to them"
n the time of Tavernier, French jewell
who published his travels in the East in
seventeenth century, the mines of Col
da employed 10000 persons, and in a
earlier age were so productive that the
tan Mahmoud, who died at the end of
twelfth century, left more than four
bdred pounds weight of diamonds in his
bsury
The largest quantities of diamonds are now
ported from the Brazils; they were found
identally whilst searching for gold. So
be did the gold-seekers suspect the nature
4he little hard translucent pebbles occasion
picked up, that they either tossed them
Eelessly away, or used them as counters
$le playing cards. One Bernardo Fonsica
5bo, however, who had seen rough diamonds
India, formed shrewd guess as to their
ne, and took several to Lisbon, where they
re- identified as real diamonds. From that
be gold digging was abandoned to slaves,
ii all the population united in the search
the precious gems. These valuable pro-
ctions of the Brazilian soil were at first
und in immense quantities; in the first
ty years after the discovery, it is said that
Imonds to the value of twelve millions
fling were exported.
Che process of digging and washing is
ried on entirely by negroes. Large dia-
hds are of course rarely found. If a slave
povers one of eighteen carats' weight he
nediately receives his freedom, with
privilege of working for himself thence
ward.
hese precious stones are scattered about
uch profusion, that whenever fowl is
ed the crop is examined, and diamonds
buently found. A negro once was fortu
enough to find a diamond worth three
(dred pounds sterling adhering to the roet
cabbage he had plucked up for his din
Fowls are well known to be addicted to
king up any shining substance instead oi
kvel The only diamond ever found il
rope was discovered few years ago in
tklow, and was supposed to have beer
rlveyed thither by some bird of passage
Gibraltar, the migratory pigeons caught a
lain seasons have frequently particles o.
~ dust about their feet, brought, no doubt
3n the auriferous deposits in the hitherto
Explored regions of Africa.
fhe diamond supply from the Brazils il
falling off; but we are on the eve of tn,
kovery of new fields that may probably
I've as productive as the district of Col
da and Cerro de Frio. Late news from
Karat gives notices of fresh discoveries.
mond Mine Company has been establishes
Melbourne, the object of which is to worl
ield on the Cudgegong river, in New Soutl
ales, where not only diamonds but mum
Prs of other precious stones have beel
md Most of the diamonds hithert
bked up have been brought to Melbourne
value of one of these stones is estimates
-four hundred pounds sterling. Diamond
I've also been lately discovered at the Cap
Good Hope. When we consider the wild
|tricts of Australia and Africa now open t
ploration, it is impossible to set a limit t
riches that may be revealed. As object
beauty the preciousness of diamonds mus
ways remain the same; but it is just poss
that great discoveries may SO far reduc
bir marketable value as to render the pos
Bsion of parure of diamonds no longer
Irk of distinguished rank or wealth. A
wells are not subject to wear and tear, ever
bne found is one added to the worlds store
pse worn by the Roman expresses are n
ubt still in existence; and in purchasing
yelled ring, we may possibly acquire pos
ysion of gem that once sparkled on th
ger of a Julia or Faustina.
Though the pure white diamond, oolorles
n pellucid as water, is the most esteemed