New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-01-09

The brilliants of the jewellers shops give
little or no notion of the appearance Of dia-
mOnd5 in the rough. \ few specimens are
found that are by natures own hand pol-
ished to II degree that shows something o.
their real beauty, but the majority Of these
stones are, when found in their native Garth,
covered with an uninyting crust, which OBJ
scures their real character.
The diamonds of Brazil were for wear,
thrown away by the gold-mincrs, who had no
idea OF what they were losing until taught by
traveller who had visited the diamanl-ninci
of India.
So in the gold mines Of Gcorg'a. It /,
highly probable that many diamonds were
found which were priced only as pretty peb-
bles, and consequently thrown away, or kept
only Tor time rs curiosites. II is said that
a lew stones found when the mines were in
full operation, some twenty or more year,
ago, were actually proved To- BE- diamonds,
and there IS every reason 10 believe that the
statement Is true not merely because of the
frequent association of diamonds with gold.
but from the fact that in the Georgia cold re
giOn an immense ledge of itaco!umitc has
been discovered. This itacOlumite j. Il sort
of elastic sandstone, which is recognized a.
the matlix Of the diamond. But to ctr story:
y gentleman who was employed rs over
seer in mine near Gainesville, frequently
SlDItS ct IttblcS IN inc
sands of the paintings for gold. when the
days work was over, he would take some Of
these home TO his wife, who in turn gave
them TO the children as Elaythings, and they
were thus generally lost. Some Of the larger
ones were saved for the time being, but no
value was attached to them, and, rs the Sc
quel shows, they ultimately shared the fate
Of the others. The largest one of these
stones was found in one Of the pits by the
same gentleman, who was working in the
place Of sick hand, and no sooner found
than lost. Being hard pushed TO keep the
wheclbatrOws filled with the opld-graycl. SO
as to furnish constant work for the washer.
he laid the stone on the bank by gun-trcc,
intending TO take it home at Li.ht, as bciuy
the largest of the pretty stonc," yet found.
When night came, tired and hUrI.-i, lie for
got all about il, and the stone was lost be-
fore he thought Of looking for il again.
Soon after this occurrence the MINING
operations at that place were discontinued,
his family were separated By the death 81 b.,
wife, and he went into business in a Southern
city.
In about twelve years from that time he
was shown n rough diamond, and n, once
decided that the stones he had found ut the
Gainesville gold mine were the same prceioU.
mineral. He sought his daughter, who had
become possessed Of the household effect,
that were brought from the mining district,
but she had no knowledge Of the stone. that
had been gathered. They were gone. He
went 10 the mine and looked long and aux-
iously for the stone by the guui-trcc. No
tree was there. The ground had been
cleared and cultivated in corn Tor ten year.
In vain he looked for any sign OF the place
Alltraccs Of the spot he sought had vanished.
For weeks and months lie searched; he dug,
and scraped, and washed the gravel, bat t.
no purpose; the stone could not again BE-
found.
From his description Of is character, there
are strong probabilities that this stoac was a
diamond, and, being as be said, about a;
large a. a gIinca-cgg. would, il perfect, have
been valued, Il the old rule should have been
followed, at about 10000 IgpissH',
JDVrani