Cleveland County herald., 1920-11-18
Worlds Annual Production of Diamonds Worth Only About
 $65,C00,00O.
IS AN ANCIENT INDUSTRY
In India it Antcdates Christ's Birth by Many centuries-Total Production to End of 1919 Was 187 100000
 Metric carats

A. ASttil lClls dlI llltCl CSIlllS SGOt clDO0t the worlds diamonds. Their sources are scattered pretty widely over the globe, but with the exception of two or three of the big South African mines the gems are found generally as the result of small operations. Mr Ball writes:
 Diamonds are much more widely distributed than is commonly sup posed. The value of the gem, it's physical and chemical indestructibil- ity under most conditions, and it's rel atiyely great brilliance, even in the rough, have perhaps led to the dis eoyery of a large proportion of its oc- currences. On the other hand, it's l small size, together with the fact that the habit of the rough stone is unr known to many prospectors and en- gineers, has doubtless caused many occurrences, possibly even of commer- cial importance, to remain undiscov- cred
 Fields Discovered by Accident.
 "The Kolar field, the most impor- tant Indian producer in Travernier's time, was found by poor native while blowing his millet field. A monk, for merly resident in India, first recog nized the true character of the Bra zilian gems, although gold miners for years had treasured them as curiosi- ties.
 Though the known occurrences of diamonds are much more numerous than those of many well known min eraIs-cryolite, for example-a map of the carbonada occurrences would be blank except for a couple of dots in the states of Bahia, in Minas Geraes, Brazil, and in Borneo. In Brazil itself dia nonds were found in 1727, and car bonada only in 1S43.
 Ut would be strange if scattered diamonds do not occur in South Caro- lima, but the reported finds need con frmation, as certainly do those from Illinois near Ashley; near Syracuse. N. Y; in Missouri; Yankton, S. D.; Santa Maria river and Philadelphos, Ariz.; Cleveland, O., and San Juan county, Colo.
 Persistent rumors were current 30 years ago that diamonds occurred in the Sierra Madre, near Acapulco, Mex, but occurrences in this locality are doubtful. as are several others re- ported in Mexico. The reported find ing of a large diamond at Nipissing. Canada, should be accepted with re- serve, and the rumors 5G years ago that diamonds occur in Nova Scotia are doubtless without foundation.
 Diamond mining is an ancient in- dustry, and in India antedates Christ's birth by many centuries.
 '"The total production of diamonds to the end of 1919 was approximately 187, 100000 metric carats, of which South Africa has produced about 153,- 75Qo00 carats, or SIS per cent; Bra s-zn about 14,OO0,000, or 7.5 per cenS India a little over 100000, or 6.3 per cent, and the Southwest Protec- torate, 6,150,000 or 3.2 per cent. Bor- neo has perhaps produced in all 1,O0O,- GOO carats, and the Belgian Kongo, Australia British Guiana, Rhodesia, named in their relative order of i'm portance, together with other locali- ties, have produced a further 1 ,W0,000 carats. The 1S7 ,S00,000 carats would fill a box slightly under eight feet cube The value of the rough product can be placed at about 1,750,= 100000, and before the stones reach the ultimate consumer at probably two or three times this sum.
 Worid's Supply Increases.
 Like that of the major metals, the diamond output recently has been many times that of the former annual productions. Indeed, since 1889 about 80 per cent of the diamonds which have been produced in all time have been mined. More than most mineral products. however, the stock Of dia- monds is accommodating, as. except for the loss n cutting which probably av- erages slightly over 30 per cent there is no notable wastage and the worlds stock of cut stones must now approach S5.000.000 carats
 Ut is difficult to name a normal years diamond production. but for 1912 and 1913 it was from 6.1O0.000 to 6.700Q00 carats, worth $5S000,0O0 to S72,000,000. Production hereafter will De determined largely by the diamond market, for the dominant production that of South Africa, is in the hands of strong financial interests.
 Except for the De Beers. Premier and Jagersfontein pipe mines in South Africa, the diamond production is from relatively small operations In 1913 he Premier diamond mine alone. how ever, treated 1,435 eco loads of blue ground. or. say. 9.391 300 tons worth approximately $1.10 a ton, at cost Of 67 cents ton. For comparison. in 1916, the Utah Copper company treat ed about 1o9o4,0o0 tons of copper ore The Premier diamond produT could se carried in large dress suit eaeAP