with " cut " during the operation of the Wilson tariff. Since 1897 " cut " stands for unset cut diamonds only.
The
Wilson tariff was passed in 1894; the Dingley tariff in 1897. The
amounts given during that interval do not represent all that were
imported, but those only which came through the customs; undoubtedly
many were smuggled in. Nor do the amounts in value give an adequate
idea of the comparative yearly quantities. So great has been the
advance in price that the number of carats imported in 1888 was
probably twice that of 1908.
Dust
or bort has increased in addition, from $140 in 1869 to $447,575 in
1905. Since then the importations have declined as follows:
