Where Diamonds Come From

For centurles the only source of diamonds was India, the chief of which was the región oí Golconda. The phrase "diamonds of Golconda" refera not to the mines but to the town where they were taken for sale. It is now little more than an abandoned fort, the Indian mines being largely worked out. In 1734 diamonds were found in Brazil and for 120 years diamonds were brought from that source. After various attempts to work thesi diamond mines by individuals, abou a century ago the flrm of Hope & Co of Amsterdam undertook the work anc' for the privilege assumed the government defit of Brazil. Amsterdam thu continued to hold her position as the center of the diamond cutting industry„ employing, directly or indirectly. frorn 30,000 to 40,000 people. Of late Antwerp, Paris and London have been overtaking Amsterdam In this indus try, Antwerp cutting one-quarter of the world's yield today. Within tlit last thirty years the product of the Brazil mines hae declined to the extent of $150,000 annually. The introduction of new machinery must agaic render these mines important, but they are now undersold by the African diamond field. The African discoveries began in 1856 and have had several distinct stages of development. Probably had it not been for the diamond? ie African gold mines would not have isen to their present importance. The rst diamonds were found on the Gong Gong river in the neighborhooc! of the Orange river, and the method followed there is the same as that lu Brazil, two or three men forming r, company and worklng on their accont. These mines, known as the "river diggings," are now of limited importance.