The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1891-03-05
DIAMOND DRUMMERs..
Travelling Statesmen Who Garry
Fortunes. on Thoii, Persons.
Encts Concerning Precious stones Cleaned
In Conversation with an East
cfn Dealer-Habits of the
a}rs1 Brummcrs.

t{rs1 Drummcrs.
"You might be surprised" said Q
prominent Broadway dealer in precious
stones to D New York World man, eff
/ should tell you that rubies are now in
greater demand than diamonds"
"Why, that -eems almost incredible"
remarked the reporter.
"Indeed, it does" continued the mer-
chant, 'btat nevertheless it is true. Ru-
bies are becoming very scarce, as the
mines are about worked out. Only a
few days ago friend of mine SOFIA
ruby weighing little over carat for
two thousand dollars. The sale took
place in Chicago, and / knew both Of
the men in the transaction,
"The market for diamonds just now
is inactive. tSince the Rrst of the year,
however, there has been an advance Of
at least twenty-five per cent. On this
account you will find that small dealers
will not snvcstsin them to any extent
for fear thcsprice will fall again,
where do most of the diamonds come
from?" 4 ~.
From mine in South Africa, owned
by the Rotlfehilds-De Boor syndicate. It
is the only field being worked at
present, and; they are doing Sheir best
to keep up the price of diamonds.
'Are diamonds just as popular as
ever2" x
"Not by any means. At present there
is a great craze for colored stones.
Brown, blue. black, green and canary
lare the sfavorites, but those with the
BLUSH tinge command the highest
prices. Moonstoncs have sprung into
popularity within the past few months,
and nearly every dealer in the city has
at present a good stock of them on
hand, mounted in studs, rings, buttons
and necklaces. If properly set they
make most beautiful necklace, and al
though they are not nearly as valuable,
think they are every bit as handsome
a. pearls. The moonstone has also be-
come very fashionable stone for gen.
tlomen's wear"
'Is there much Of demand for opals?"
asked a reporter.
: "Well,. once in awhile some one will
drop In and ask to see some, but never
keep them. wouldn't give them safe
room. Lam not very superstitious
man, and don't believe any Of the old
traditions. Lut once was foolish enough
to buy box Of twenty opals because I
thought was getting them cheap. I
hadn't had them In the safe two days
before my place burned down. saved
the safe, however, and started business
in Brooklyn. In one weeks time was
again burned out. Other bad things
followed, and one day It occurred to
me that, all my Ill luck had been
brought ON by the presence Of opals In
my stora had no sooner thought Of
II than LFold the whole lot for less than
they COSTUME, and have had good luck
ever since. wouldn't even take an
opal ring, to repair it, and know doz-
ems OF jewellers who believe as do"
What stones do you sell the most of?''
t'Diamonds every time. More of them
are imported here than of any other
stones. About one million dollars worth
are brought over here every year, and
the majority Of these stones 60 direct
to Maiden lane and John street dealers.
They are then sent to all parts Of the
country by special statesmen. This is a
line Of business that man takes up at
q very early age and remains in for the
rest Of his life."
'Does one man carry many?"
'That's according to his ability and
tzustworthiness The stock Of sales
man generally runs from seventy-fve
thousand TO one hundred and twenty-five
thousand dollars worth Of diamonds,
which they carry about their persons.
.nsver in case or travelling bag.
'.Most Of the salesmen carry these
Jewels In vests made Of leather. and 30.
.curely bound BY STRAPS to their bodies.
fThis vest has set Of deep pockets with
Aaps which can Be snapped shut Az Z
rule the salesman must be . good
,a*hlste- They 60 heavily armed. and
when they eco any suspicious charsc-
,tazs they quietly slip out Of the way.
"Upon reaching hotel the first thing
'thay do Il to deposit tho stones In the
safe. Then an easy breath is taken,
:probably for the frst time In twenty
tour o. forty-eight hours. Some Of the
moro timid salesmen, or the beginners,
win not leave their hotel after DARK
ixoS xooE tuoy may 70 AoAoWoo W
crooks, who. not knowing they have got
nd Of their diamonds. might do them
bodily injury.
''The Life Of travelling diamond sales
men u not by any means pleasant
They never make chance acquaint'
ances. for II they did 30 they might
meet the Same man on series of trips
for pears afterwards, and upon becom'
Ing intimste the fellow could easily gel
away with the vestful Of diamonds
when the opportunity offered. Many q
crook would have the patience to wait
for four or Ave years and then thinL
himself fully repaid II he could gel
away with good load Of diamonds, fol
they como nearer to being money thar
ony other articles Of value. Another