, 1889-10-31
HOME OF THE DIAMOND.
FAMOUS FIELDS AND MINES IN SOUTH
AMERICA AND AFRICA.

and at one time the mines near Golcond
were very productive of stones Of grea
size and b~rilliancy. Asia controlled tn
diamond markets for years, and onI
lost its hold when, early in the eigh
tenth century, some natives of Brazi
were found playing at cards. They wer
using stones for counters, and these stone
were rough, but very valuable, diamonds
This wa in the provinco OF Minas Geraes
in which mines were worked as early a
1720, and where diamonds are still
found.
When the news of the first discovery
spread there wasa rush of fortune hunt
ers TO Brazil, and gems were hunted in
-ery singular style. Every bird thai
came within range was shot, and the
contents of its craw inspected with
greedy eagerness and often with great
success. Small diamonds were also oc-
casionally found in the stomachs Of
slaughtered animals, and this led to a
careful ov~erhauling of every carcass.
On n occasion n gem of seven carats
was found in the tangled locks of negro
slave Scores of slaves had their wool
shaved off at once, but no diamonds
were found by the BARRIERS.
While the ignorant were hunting In
this irregular I'M and trusting to
chance the more experienced were dig
ging mines. The best diamonds were
found near the surface, and only ten or
twelve feet OF soil was removed. The
soil was of the usual diamond Indicating
nature. 1t was piled in small heaps by
hes sic of n natural or artificial stream,
and washed in long troughs by slaves.
The overseers occupied seats on elevated
ground or o stand erected for the DUR
pose, and were able to watch the washers
very closely.
IN slaves washed with great care, for
the finding of a diamond Of eighteen or
more carats was rewarded with freedom.
and many hundred slaves were lucky
enough to secure their papers in this
manner. In 1904 the Bahia mines were
discovered, and more recently diamonds
have been found in many other provinces
OF Brazil. In some years the value Of the
gems exported has exceeded $4,000. OOO;
of recent years, however, the output has
not been 50 heavy. At first Brazilian
diamonds were not popular in Europe,
and there was an idea that they were off
in brilliancy and generally inferior TO h
o'Ah DlI Nllls WAS eNluentlE
mere prejudice. for some of the South
American gems have n world wide repu-
tation. The Star of the South" an ir-
regular dodeoahedron, weighed 1914 carats
when cut, and an octahedron, found in
the same mine, weighed nearly Us much.
The great diamond fields of TODAY are
in South Africa. where the production
has been so great as to cause apprehen-
sions as to the maintenance of prices.
In 1867 John O'Reilly, while travelling in
the Transvaal, ate dinner at the house of
n settler named Nelkirk. On the table
there was a collections of Orange river
stones. and O'Reilly selected one which
he believed to be a diamond. and asked
If he might take it. He was referred to
its owner, n bushman named jacobs, who
parted with it without a moments con-
sideration. Mr.. O'Reilly sent the stone
to DIR. Atherstone, OF Graham Town, and
received 81 200 for it. The gem weighed
2lt ~carats, and wason view at the Paris
exhibition. OtReilly and Acting Civil
Commissioned Boyes used the 81, 500 as
working capital, and commenced a pros
pecting o Il after diamonds.
Others joined them, but for over two
years their efforts were unsuccessful,
and they were unable to find any dia-
mondiferous earth, But in 1865 Mr..
Nelkirk traded about 81, 900 worth of
cattle for the famous Star of South
Africa" diamond, which had been found
by a Hottentot. The trade proved an
excellent one, for the wonderful dia-
mond wa speedily sold by its new
owner for $4,000, or about 40 per cent.
OF its value. The "Star" weighed S3t
carats in the rough and 46t carats when
cut. 1t formed the most striking feat
ure of the Countess of Dudley's famous
collection of jewels. During the year
1870 the rush to the Transvaal COM
menced. Fully 10000 miners deserted
California and Australia for South
Africa, and huge mining camps were
established in likely and unlikely spots.
Few of the newcomers were experts in
diamonds or diamond seeking, and for n
tim results were far from encouraging.
The Orange River Valley was exam
ined by prospecting parties and finally
abandoned. Then there was a rush up
the Veal river to where the town of
Barkly 10Y stands. Here was the center
OF the rich diamond district, and for
tunes were speedily made by some of
the pioneers. The usual drawbacks of
mining ~camps-fever, famine and hos
tile natives-beset the miners and many
persisted. The nearest town was at Port
Elizabeth, over 500 miles distant. 1t
cost $3.50 for team hire and provisions,
and large number who were without
funds started on foot, only to perish by
the way. The conveyances were heavy
wagons, very stoutly built and without
springs. Not less than eight spar OF
bullocks had 10 be hitched to each wagon,
which had to be dragged over rocks,
across rivers and through forests, jerk
ing the riders of their seats and DESTROY
ing the baggage. Explosives could not
be hauled, owing to the conclusion.
The road 10Y Ia easier to travel, and n
railroad has been built along it, the re-
suit being many more luxuries and com
forts for the miners; but in the 70's the
miners life was n hazardous one, and
although several got rich, many more
either died in the camps or went home
invalided.
The first FIVE mines in operation were
the De Beers, Dutoltspan, B~ultfontein,
GplaGharfv Rapata apI Rln.hal-- m