The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-06
Our Great Imports Of piamonds

South Africa overshadows all other
countries as the leading diamond pro-
ducing country of the world All the
output is shipped to London. yet,
strange to say, British official publica-
lions of imports generally do not list
diamonds among the imports from
South Africa. The only evidences OF
such imports are the attestation5 of the
customs officers Of the Cape of Good
Hope These attestations show that in
1903 the importations were Of 2,ejG,5s7
carats, of value of s26,l94.0l9.
Great as is the import of diamonds by
the United States, few of the gems
come to us direct, and therefore it is
impossible to say just what proportion
of these imports consists of South Afri-
can diamonds. Our imports OF diamonds
have been
1900 sn752l7i
1901 is.2S545s
1902 IS .sS7.52a
1903 205o5 20
There is good reason to believe that,
after passing through the hands of
European traders and lapidares, most
of the South African diamonds reach
the United States Consequently, as
the Bureau of Statistics remarks Ameri-
can dealers and purchasers have as
much interest in the trade as have tho
London, Antwerp, Amsterdam and
Partisan dealers and mGnipulators, who
make millions yearly out of that pros
perty which enables Americans to
become the final purchasers of more
diamonds than any other nation.
This whole diamond business is the
most powerful Of trusts, for not only is
the trade conducted in an underground"
way, concealed from all public scrutiny,
but it seems also to be managed indie
pendently OF all custom houses inter-
vening between Cape Colony and the
United States
The statistics which we have given
show that the United States in 1903
imported more diamonds than the total
diamond exports from the Cape Colony
to London Of this, 1854 3es worth
were cut diamonds, the remainder
SO e33, lss diamonds in the rough.
Allowance has 10 be made for the prof
its of the various landings of the gems
before we get them On this subject
our consular division Of the Bureau Of
Statistics remarks
II this diamond trade. from the time the gems
leave Africa until they pass through the American
customs. were conducted in an open manner, no,
only could VIC arrive at fair estimate OF the per.
oentage OF tho trade falling 10 the share OF the
United states but VIC could make such close cstl-
mate Of the number quality and value OF the dia.
rnonds when received In London. and the number.
quality and value OF those exported from London
TO Amsterdam. Antwerp and Paris dor cutting and
setting. and from all those mArts TO the United
states. as would easble customs officers largely
10 put stop 10 tie suuepuuous introduction Of
these gems into tao United States. AS II Is ncy. the
value Is declared In South Africa and concealed
IN Europe
The diamond cutters and polishers
Of the world number $500 Of whom
AGO are in Amsterdam. Wages range
from Sc to $2S weekly. Our importation
OF diamonds from Amsterdam has grown
in ten years from slS8,OOO to s9.iS4cO0,
a nearly hfty-fod increase. The United
States imports three-lourths Of the
worlds cut diamond output. The trans
ference Of the industry Of diamond cut
ting and polishing 10 our own shores is
possible and desirable. inasmuch as our