CHAPTER VI
	NOTEWORTHY DIAMONDS P RODIGIOUS diamonds are not so uncommon as is generally supposed. Diamonds weighing over an ounce (151-5 carats) are not unfrequent at Kimberley. Some years ago, in one parcel of stones, I saw eight perfect ounce crystals, and one stone weighing 2 ounces (Fig. 12). The largest diamond from the Kimberley mines weighed 428^ carats, or nearly 4 ounces troy. It measured i| inch through the longest axis and was i-J- inch square. After cutting it weighed 228! carats, losing 200 carats in the process. The largest known diamond was discovered in January, 1905, at the New Premier Mine, near Pretoria. This mine is of the same type as the Kimberley mines, but larger in size, and, in fact, is the largest known diamantiferous pipe in the 76