The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-10
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
That Amount Was Spent by Ameri-
cans for Sparklers in Last
Fiscal Year.
Increased Demand Has Fostered q
New Industry, the Culling
of Diamonds.
from The Journal Bureau, Room As, Post Build

from The Journal Bureau, Room As, Post Build
ing, Washington.
Washington, July 10.-More than thirty
million dollars worth of diamonds and
other precious stones were brought into |
the United States in the fiscal year just
ended. The department of commerce and
labor thru it's bureau of statistics state
ments shows that the total importations
of diamonds and other precious stones, IN
the eleven months ending with May,
amounted to over $2S,000,000 in value and
as the figures for the month of May alone
were about 100000, it is evident that
the June figures will bring the grand total
of diamonds and other precious stones up
to a full S30,000.000 for the fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1903.
This Is the largest importation Of dia-
monds and other precious stones ever
shown in a single year of our commerce.
Prior to 1887 the total had seldom, if ever,
reached 500 5000 per annum; from 1887
to 1898 the total gradually moved upward
until it reached $4,000, 900, then it rap
Idly fell to s5,500,000 in 1894. $500, 900 in
1895, S6,575, 900 in 1895 and 50, 500, 900 in
the fiscal year of 1897. In 1898 the total
Increased to nearly 50. 900. 900, in 1902 to
S23, 900 900 and in 1903 it will be fully
$50. O0O,o 900, making the total for the year
just ended not only more than in any pre-
ceding year, but SO per cent in excess Of
1901. double the figures of 1899 and more
than six times the average during the
period Of 1S947.
A New American Industry.
This rapid growth in the importation of
diamonds. while it suggests general pros
perity. also seems to indicate the develop
ment Of a comparatively new industry In
the United States, the cutting Of dia-
monds. The total importations Of dia-
monds alone In the eleven months end
ing with May amounted to s24, 900, 900 and
of other precious stones s4,5O0,OOO. OF the
$24,000,oo0 worth Of diamonds imported
s1o.o0O,00o were uncut diamonds; this
total of 100000 900 of uncut diamonds Is
a large increase compared with the i'm
portations Of uncut diamonds in preceding
years, the figures for eleven months OF
the year 1902 being $500. 900. while for
the corresponding period Of 1901 they were
$6,5o0000; for the corresponding months
of 1900 49, 500. 900 and for the correspond
ing months of 1898 but a little over 50 OOO-
900.
The diamonds imported are divided by
the bureau Of statistics statements into
two groups, viz: Diamonds uncut, in
Guiding miners. glaciers and engraver's
not Set" and diamonds cut but not SET
The value Of diamonds uncut including
miners. glaciers, ETC., imported in the
eleven months ending with May. has
grown from s., 800 900 in 1898 to SO, 900, 900
In 1903 while that Of diamonds cut but
not set has grown from 1900, 900 In 1898
to $4,000 900 in 1903 these figures being
In each case for the period of eleven
months
Figures Show Growth.
This inference. that the cutting Of dia-
monds is becoming an important industry
In the United States, which Is suggested
by the rapid increase in the importation
Of uncut diamonds, Is strengthened by the
fact that the census statistics on "lapidary
work show that the total value of pro-
duction Of lapidary work in 1900 was over
$5.600,000 against less than $500, 900 in
1890 and that the value Of the materials
used IN this work In 1900 was over $780,
900 against less than $3.50, 900 in 1890.