Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-06-07
LAND OF BLACK DIAMONDS.
Precious Stones Found in Abundance
in Bed of Brazilian River.


The black diamond is an important
article of commerce, not because it is
destined to embellish the hand Of fem
mime grace, but because Of the fact
that it has been widely applied in in
dustry, where it is almost as valuable
as its white fellow. The home Of the
black diamond is Brazil, the classical
land OF the diamond, the richest beds
Of the mineral having been found in
the province OF Bahia and on the banks
and in the bed of the Sac Jose river.
The stone, which is perfectly opaque,
Is not beautiful, and If the magical
word diamond had never been applied
to the substance there is no doubt that
to this day the black diamond would
be a thing unknown. However, the
favor which this mineral enjoys is Of
recent date, for twenty years ago it's
properties were unknown and the trade
In the stone was practically nothing.
The constantly increasing perfection
of boring instruments brought out the
value OF the black diamond, the use
Of diamond point drills now having
become so general that the price Of
the Hineral has in consequence rapid
ly increased. To-day the diamond has
become Of prime necessity in working
tempered metals, saving Of marbles,
piercing of tunnels and galleries and in
mines. At the time Of the. Inaugural
ton Of the Laboratory Of Arts and
Trades on July l, 1903, circular saw
provided with diamond points produc-
ed surprising results, cutting into thin
slices the hardest of materials. On
the banks of the Sac Jose are found
traces OF the first exploitation of the
mines by the natives, the Garimperos.
The black diamond, however, having
no commercial value, did not attract
these people and they We're apparently
ignorant Of the real character of the
mineral. 3t1
From the report Of an engineer who
explored the region in 1853 it is learn
ed that one day the diamond diggers
discovered a black stone in the Sac
Jose. They took the stone to one of
their huts and sought to discover it's
nature by attempting to crack it. All
their efforts were fruitless, the stone
resisting the most powerful hammers,
and after time it was thrown back
into the river. The stone weighed
about 10000 carats and at the price Of
$40 carat represents loss Of $780,
900.
The exploitation of the Brazilian dia-
mond mines by the Garimperos. it is
unnecessary to say, was not scientific.
The crevices Of the rocks are explored !
with the hand, the gravel being taken,
away in little barrels, which are car
ried on the head. Attempts have been
made to lessen the time of the work by
diving for the mineral, but the violence
Of the stream is such during the rainy
season that this plan has been but lit |
tie adopted. The only method which
will produce results and the one which
will shortly be put in operation is that
Of draining. Dams will be erected 300
feet apart and centrifugal pumps will
be installed for the purpose Of draw
ing off the water. The results Of the
work cannot be question Of doubt
judging from the past performances Of /
these diamond mines. Hi'
The question naturally arises, Why |
have the diamonds been found in the
Sac Jose? The answer to this is not |
difficult and is given when it is said |
that the original rock-which former
~ occupied the high plateau-has
been gradually disintegrated, the de- !
bris Of the rock being carried by rains
into the Sac Jose. Because Of their
density the black and white diamonds |
were concealed under the sand, togeth-
err with the mineral accessories which |
surround them and which are the indi- |
cations of the precious stones. Thus I
in the course Of years these beds have
been formed, beds the richness Of |
which is incalculable ~ |