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times thirty thousand laborers being employed. Very large stones
were then as now extremely rare, but many were obtained from ten to
fifteen karats in weight, though by far the largest number were
minute. The works were stopped in 1532, for reasons not clear,
some say because the Great Mogul demanded from the King of Golconda
an enormous tribute, but the best authorities believe because
the mines were exhausted.
During the early part of the eighteenth century, two hundred
years after the discovery of Brazil, diamonds began to come thence
to Europe almost equal in quality to the Indian, but whose habitat at
first was doubted and value decried by European merchants fearful
of an oversupply. This induced the clever Portuguese to send them
to India, whence they were reshipped by confederates at Goa as true
Indian stones. The Brazilian mines of Minas Geraes were opened
in 1727, and from then till 1850 were computed to have yielded to
the world at least thirty million karats, of which, however, only onethird
were fit for gems.
A few years later the most extraordinary deposits, so far as
quantity goes, in all history were discovered those of South Africa.
When these began to be mined scientifically, the output was so tremendous
that Brazil could not stand the competition, and her diggings
practically ceased, while the price of diamonds greatly declined.
Then a syndicate was formed, called the De Beers Consolidated, the
mines were placed under one management, the output was restricted
and the price regulated. Diamonds are not as thick as pebbles and
the end is bound to come. Perhaps, when the earth's possibilities are
definitely determined, the diamond will once more be the property of
kings only, or their substitute in the world's economy
multi-millionaires.
the American
Since 1875 the South African mines have been the main source
of supply. They now furnish 95 per cent, of the world's output. As
a rule, these are tinged with yellow, but at Jagersfontein, large pure
white stones, some bordering on the desired bluish cast, are not
uncommon. These are called Jagers (Yahgers) in trade, and their
whiteness is supposed to be due to the complete absence of iron
pyrites. Yet though white, they are subject to defects. Few are
perfect.
The gem, or "gem color," is that which expresses the beauty of
the specimen at its highest development. As the normal diamond is
without color, the "gem" diamond technically is the one of the purest
white, the clearest transparence, and the greatest brilliance. It is
highly desirable to own such a gem the first rank in this stone ; means
more than in others; it is economy to invest in the best. One of
defective properties may possess a charm endearing it to you personally,
but the dealer has a profound respect for what he calls "good
stuff," white, clean, perfect, and he will seldom let it pass.
With colored stones, it is not quite the same, perfection of tint
being the first requisite. A ruby of the true pigeon's blood, though
flawed, is to be preferred to a stone of doubtful hue, no matter how
clean. This deep, vibrant, glorious red magnetizes the minute it
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