The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-09-26
THE ARIZONA DIAMONDS.
Important Letters from an Eminent Lon-
don Firm - Mysterious Purchases OF
R0ughDiamonds.
From the London Times.

Tie following from an experienced
London firm seems to throw light on TN
important step in the gradual prepara-
ton of the Californian diamond scheme :
20 GRESHAM ST.. LONDON, Aug, e7, 1872.
Sir: In your City Article of to-day,
com nenting upon the reported discovery
of diamonds, rubies, sapphires in the
Arizona district, of North America, you
allude to circular of London diamond
merchants issued last week, discussing
the probable influence of the discovery
upon the diamond market. That circular
emanated from us, but there was a slight
error committed in styling us as diamond
merchants, as we act exclusively as
brokers, speciality in our position in the
diamond trade to which we attach great
Importance. At the conclusion of your
remarks you observe very iudiciously
that all that is wanting seems to be some
guarantee that the gems should be less
fugitive than the silver and gold of the
Pyramid mines. Now, without totally
discrediting the existence of the finds of
some diamonds or precious stones in the
localities named, yet strong suspicion
has crossed our minds that real rough
diamonds, rubies, and sapphires may be
proc uced as evidences of the new dia-
mon diferous locality, and yet never have
had an existence there, but have come
from the Cape, Rio, Ceylon, or Burma !;
aud our reasons for the impression are
based upon the following circumstances !:
Several months age one of our most
important constituents, a diamond mer-
chant, was delayed keeping an appoint
men { with us for two or three hours, and
on his arrival at our office he excused
him elf for the delay by laughingly re-
counting an occurrence which to him
was exceedingly mysterious, and for the
reas ms OF which he could not form any
idea. He then told us that when on the
point of starting for our office he was
interrupted by the arrival of person
who presented all the appearance of a
hard working digger, and who from his
general roughness and uncouthness In
no wise prepossessed our friend in his
favor. From his peculiar accent he
evidently hailed from America, which
his subsequent remarks and statements
of his having had large railway contracts
over there fully confirmed. To our
frieads great surprise the visitor asked
to see rough diamonds, and on being
somewhat reluctantly shown some, pro-
ceeded, to our friends great astonish-
ment, to put aside several lots as suiting
his purpose, and said lie would take
them.
Now, as the stranger evidently paid
no attention to the weight or the quality,
and as the lots put aside reached an i'm
portant amount, the price asked never
disputed, and he evidently knew moth
ing about diamonds, our friend had
natural misgivings as to the discussion
that would arise when the question OF
payment came to be alluded to; but on
this point there arose no difficulty, for
the stranger on hearing the amount at
one; proceeded to pull out large roll
of bank-notes and settled for them off
hanl! That mysterious purchase has
never been cleared up to this day, but
now, we think, we have the clue to it.
We have ourselves often sold lots OF
rough rubies and rough sapphires to
parties who seemed to have no definite
object for them, save "to try expert
ments;" but, as we now perceive how
such purchases may find their way to
other parts OF the globe, and be produc.
ed there as evidence of local existing
riches and discoveries, we think it oul
duty to write to you to put parties or
their guard before parting with thcil
money in investing in companies start
ing with the moderate capitals of $40,
100000 to commence with. We are, sir
yours very obediently,
PITTAR, LEvERSON & Co.