The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1915-06-24
War Puts a Crmp in Diamond Trade

"War has worked greater disturb
ance in the production OF diamonds
than almost any other commodity"
says bulletin just issued by the Ma
tional Geographic Society. mot only
has the cutting of these gems almost
ceased, but the largest diamond mines
in the world have been shut down
since last August. More than 30 per
cent of the annual diamond output
comes from South Africa, from mines
within the war area, whose operation
has been suspended. 1t is feared in
cutting industry has been ruined past
repair: the Rue de Pelican has been
deserted. In Amsterdam, the other
great damondcutting and polishing
center, work has almost completely
halted. The workrooms OF London
and Paris are reported to be as quiet
AS those of the Dutch.
Diamond production is Of consider
able geographical localization. The
stones were produced through the
centuries in India; and many are still
mined there, though few Of this out
put leave the country. Likewise, the
diamond production Of South America
is of little Importance in connection
with the worlds supply. South AT
RIGA is the great diamond source, and
the greatest part of its product is pur-
chased by the Diamond Syndicate,
with headquarters in London, which
takes the entire product of the De
Beers Consolidated Mines, Ltd. This
syndicate through its centralized con-
troll of the diamond industry has been
able TO fix the worlds price for these
rare gems.
The machinery by which the nice
balance between supply and demand
necessary to the maintaining of dia-
monds in superior relationship to 9TH
err commodities of life was devised by
Cecil Rhodes. Many millions of dol
lars worth OF these stones were taken
each year at the mines near kimber-
ley, the Premier mine in the Trans
vaal, and the mines of German South
west Africa. 1t is estimated that the
total diamond production of the mines
Of South Africa has reached the enor-
nous sum of $3.50, 100000. In single
year, 1913 the combined outputs OF the
amounted in value to S51 ,OO0, 900, while
German Southwest Africa produced
during the same year diamonds valued
$40, $50, 900, The United States takes
the largest percentage of these gems.
"Some OF the wealthest houses in
Europe are included among the man
ayers of the diamond syndicate. A
great amount OF capital has been lied
up in the quantities Of stones held
back from the market by the syndi-
cate, in order that The prices might
De maintained. There is, therefore,
little cause for fearing that those who
have the money and the desire to buy
need feel the effects of a diamond
famine. The diamond surplus from
the years OF peace will likely cover
any demands which may be made dur
ing the wartime. The demand for
diamonds in this country according to
experts, is remaining good despite the
war, being about 50 per cent of nor
NAL.
Diamond production has been the
| backbone almost of South Africa de.
velopment. 1t has increased in impor.
lance from year to year, the outputs
being limited practically only to the
amount Of capital which the European
houses dealing IN these precious crys
tails could afford TO tie up in their pur
chase. In 1913, the mines of German
Southwest Africa produced about SO
900 carats, and an Antwerp syndicate
which was formed for the taking OF tn,
whole Of this production, failed. Jus,
before the war "A conference OF all the
leading diamond interests was called II
) London, whose object was the adop
ton Of plans FOR a better control of ,h,
eyer.swelling South African diamond
output"