DIAMOND MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA 263
quire the cost of spreading, nor the loss of time in weathering.
Though
the kimberlite of all the mines is the same, the diamonds from the
various chimneys are so characterized by differences, that men
acquainted with the mines can usually tell from which mine a parcel of
crystals comes. Some have claimed that there are those who can
designate not only the mine but the part of the mine from which any
crystal submitted to them, was taken, but this is an exaggeration, for
though the stones from the different mines are generally characterized
by certain peculiarities, all kinds of stones are taken from all mines.
The Kimberley, though rich in diamonds, has been distinguished by
generally poor quality. This mine has furnished a much larger
percentage of bort than the other mines of that district. Great
quantities of fragments of crystals, smoky stones and yellow stones,
have been found in it and the different kinds were quite constant in
particular sections of the mine. It is noticeable that the part of the
mine which lies in the direction of the Dutoitspan, carries a similar
class of crystals.
In
the De Beers, one finds all kinds and colors, but the surface of the
natural facets are finely granulated, and have a somewhat greasy luster
similar to the luster of many of the cut Premiers. As in the Kimberley,
fragments are abundant, but there is less bort and the crystals run
larger and have more color (yellow) than those of the Kimberley.
The diamonds of the Bultfontein are mostly small, white, flawy octahedrons.
The Dutoitspan diamonds show more color than any, many of them being sufficiently deep and fine to be classed
