The New York herald., 1920-01-11

the value Of the uncut diamonds imported
n 1916 was 11.26i.704 those registered IN
1918 were worth S12 .605, ,526; on the othe,
hand instead of 1924. $50 worth of cut dia-
monds as in 1916 there was only S,76l.s1c
worth brought in during 1915 This serves
to show that the diamond cutters in the
United States are securing an even larger
share OF the diamond industry, and 1t re-
mains to be seen what will be the effect OF
the revival of that industry in Belgium
and the efforts to develop IL in England.
However. the exceptionally large diamond
imports from March 10 July 1919, show a
return to the proportion of about 81 per
cent Of uncut diamonds
japan also is rapidly developing a de-
mand for diamonds which need not sur
prise us, since the wealth of that country
has increased immensely as a result OF
the war. in view OF the fact that her war
lexpenses were mainly confined to the cost
of the expedition against the Germans OF
the Shantung Peninsula. which did not
last more than a few weeks. The demand
for diamonds may be considered as a kind
of barometer Of wealth Japan's diamond
imports for 1918 were valued at x,Oos, $50
while the worth Of the 1917 imports was
only $50 600, or little more than half as
much as in 1918. and this in spite OF the
imposition of a heavy import duty.
Among the surprises in DR.. Kunz's re-
port is the revelation as to the part dia-
monds played in winning the war. The
diamonds were Industrial diamonds used in
grinding operations While the great con-
flict was in progress they We're employed
In the finishing Of munitions material
ranging from tanks 90 fuses. The Entente
controlled the worlds diamond supply
and, naturally, every effort was exerted "a
prevent industrial stones from falling into
the hands of the Central Powers.
In peace time production DR.. Kunz cites
an interesting example OF the use of indus
trial diamonds IN "a large factory Tor the
CONSTRUCTION of motors.
The particuar application here" he
writes, lis in rceiirdng the surfaces OF
crankshafts. camshatts, pistons, &c. The
diamond which s set in a small socket al
the end OF a steel bar, is first covered with
grease and then pressed against tho rapid
ly revolving emery wheel, so that the lat
ter may be reground to a smoothness AS
nearly absolute a. possible. AS an indi.
cation OF the number Of diamonds required
for this use, the motor factory to which
we aliude requires $4,000 worth Of indus
trial diamonds annually.
A table i'm the report shows that "dia.
monds. f,laziers' and engravers', unset and
free" (of duty) were imported TO the value
OF ssiOze5 In 1916. H.093.102. in 1917. and
s7is.27 in 1915. This gives some indication
| OF the effect or the " a. Oii NAiS ttaHts
SURVEYS of the diamond cutting industry
Throughout tho world show that, with Ant
werp striving to recover her pre-war i'm
portance I'm this direction. Great Britain
hard az work developing tho industry built
nm while the conflict Fas On, Amsterdam
Fostering us cutting shops and South
Africa debating the alvisability OF setting
nm rreat diamond cutting enterprises close
10 the mines thc industry In tho United
states. too, lis forging ahead.
To quote from Dr kunz report again
.srho rrogress of diamond-cutting In the
Tinted states is shown by the fact that
tbero ara NJ the present time as many as
eOO uorpers IN This branch. the greater
part employed In tho vicinity Of New
York Their wages run from so TO $40 q
week. This has caused a very consider
able increase in tho quantity OF rough
diamonds brought Ia al the port OF New
YORK. as IS exhibited Ia the figures for
io17 compared with 1915. This change be-
came still more accentuated in 19tS."
In this connection. il IS interesting TO
note The experiments that are being carried
ON in other countries In employing partial
lv crippled soldiers as diamond cutters.
one firm iu Great Britain has established
training workshops at Brighton, Cam
bridge Wrexham aud Fort William. AN
the machinery in these workshops was
made bv the disabled men connected with
the eutcrprfse RI tho Industry were
nationally develoncd in England. work
could be provided ir this way for zoos
dlss 0led men. However Dr. kunz from