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CHAPTER SEVEN
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DIAMONDS FOUND IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD
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In many other parts of the world diamonds have been found
to a small extent. Other countries where diamonds are known to occur
are the United States, British Guiana, Russia, China, Sumatra and
Australia. In the United States there are no deposits of sufficient
value to warrant mining operations except in Arkansas—for the stones
are found elsewhere only occasionally in alluvial materials and drift.
Diamonds
are said to have been found in many parts of the United States. A
theory is entertained in some quarters that wherever gold is found
diamonds may be looked for. There used to be a theory maintained that
diamonds abounded in California but had been neglected by the miners
through ignorance of their value. There was a famous stone picked up
at Manchester, opposite Richmond in Virginia in 1855. It weighed 24
carats when found, and 12 after cutting. But it was not clear, and so
much doubt was entertained as to its genuineness that it could not be
sold for over $2,000, whereas a fine Brazilian of 12 carats would have
commanded over $10,000. The occurrence of
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