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DIAMOND MINES OF BRAZIL 181
the
eastern side, one of the largest of all Brazilian diamonds being found
in the Rio Abaete. Later, as the miners extended their operations
westward, large stones were found there also, the " Star of the South "
being discovered near Bagagem.
In
1827 diamonds were found in the neighborhood of Grao Mogol, about 150
miles north and a little east of Diamantina. The neighborhood had been
prospected some fourteen or fifteen years earlier. The dia-mondiferous
deposits lie about several tributaries of the Jequetinhonha having
their rise- in a chain of hills which follow the river on the northwest
side. The crystals are found there in a solid sandstone conglomerate
which the miners named " Pigeons' Eggs." As with all new fields, a
great many gathered at these diggings, so that in 1839 it was estimated
there were 2,000 persons working in the district. The number soon
after dwindled rapidly and has since become unimportant.
In
January, 1867, a garimpeiro found a diamond in the gorgulho near the
Agua Suja brook, about 12 miles south of Bagagem, and a rush in that
direction ensued. A majority of the claims were worked on a percentage.
The garimpeiros rented parts of claims and hired slave labor. Bullock
skins were used to carry the dirt down from the gorgulho to stream
level. For a time they made money fast. Then came the African
discoveries and prices broke. Buyers refused to pay as much as they had
been paying, and the miners, suspicious of them, refused to sell at
lower figures. They borrowed money to carry their expenses and held
their diamonds, until eventually most of them lost all they had.
The discoveries of diamonds in Minas Geraes natu-
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