Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1905-02-09
Biggest Diamond in the World.

OSOI &c L. AubIi IuO l Ai4A"NJ - f''
in New York City, was greatly inter
ested when he heard of the finding OF
the 3,O32 carat diamond in the Pre-
m,er mine near Johannesburg. To
give an idea of the size of the stone
he said:
Take a handful OF putty the size
of an ordinary four-pound iron weight
to be found in any grocery store.
Fashion it roughly intoia round mass,
and you will have approximately the
size of the newly found diamond.
Or take the two small tea cups and
hold them together; you will get a
similar result"
1t was the largest diamond ever
found, he said. A few years ago a
black diamond was found in Brazil
which weighed 5000 carats. 1t was
of no use except cut up and used on
diamond drills. Except for this, the
gem Just found is three time, bigger
than any other yet discovered.
Approximately, he said, the gem
weighed about 62l Sc grams, or about
a pound and half avoirdupois. 1t
would lose from 40 to go per cent. in
cutting, depending on the shape of
the stone. he thought that it was
likely that diamond of such size
would be left as large as possible by
the cutters. He wouldn't place a
value on the big diamond, although
he didn't dispute the value of 81 ,OOO,-
900 said to be placed on it. The
value, he said, would depend to a
great extent on its size and quality.
The last diamond Of any note
found in recent years was the "Syn-
dieate," dug up in the De Beers mines
about two years ago. 1t weighed,
uncut, 900 carats. 1t was said to
have been purchased by the Tifanys
and cut up. Most oft is now believed
to be in the Tiffany store in New
York.
The new diamond, weighing exast-
ly 3,O32 carats, will rank as the lsrg-
est diamond ever found. Some ofthe
others notable for their size or history
are the Great Mogul, the Orlof, the
Regent, the Florentins, the Southern
Star, the Koh.i-noor, the Shaa, the
Sauci and the Polar Star. The col
lection OF gems of the late, Emperor OF
Brazil was said to have contained a
diamond, known as the Brazanza,
which weighed $50 carats, or about
twelve ounces. 1t is believed, how
ever, that it was only fine colorless
topaz. 1t is the only diamond that
approaches the new gem in size.
Another large diamond, when cut,
was one owned by the Rsjah Of Mat
tan. 1t weighed S67 carats and was
eggshaped, with an indented hollow
near one end. Many years ago the
Governor of Bornso offered 100000,
two wsrships fully equipped and a
number of cannon and quantity Of
powder for it.
The Koh-i-noor weighed 100 csrats
when found, but cut down to 1876 car
ats and later to 1921 carats. 1t l.
valued at $l,50O,OOO. 1t was once
in the possession of the Great Mogul.
1t is believed that in the first cutting
big piece, weighing lSo carats after
the cutting, and since known as the
Orloff, was taken by the cutter. The
Orlof is owned by the Emperor oi
Russia and is saibonce to have been
the eye Of an Indian idol. 1t is val
ued at $l,0O0,00O.
The Regent, another famous jewel
weighed go carats and cut down to
1876. In 1871 it was valued at $2,'
100000. Since then it has not beer
valued. It is unrivaled for limpid.
ness and form. 1t was found in Col.
conda and brought from India by Pitt
the grandfather of the first Earl o
Chatham, who sold it to the Duke o
Orleans for e130,OO0. 1t decorated
the hilt of the sword of state of th'
first Napoleon and was taken from
him by the Prussisns at the Battle o
Waterloo. Itnow belongs to the King
of Prussia.
The Star of Soutl Africa weighed
2S8 earats and cut to 135 carsts. l
was sold to an Oriental potentate 70
100000.
The Floreutine weighed 195 carat