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DIAMONDS FOUND IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD
tity, though pot in value, the largest recorded since the opening of the industry.
The
next diamond field of importance is situated about six miles from
Bingera. This field has been practically idle during the year owing to
the water difficulty, the only work being done by Captain Rogers in the
"Monte Christo" Mine, from which 1,573 carats were won. As soon as rain
falls, work will be started by several large companies, and it is
expected to prove highly successful.
The
crystals partake more of the dodecahedral with its numerous
modifications, than of the octahedral habit, which is so marked a
feature in those from the Cape. In this respect the New South Wales
stones bear a remarkable resemblance to those from Brazil, and also
diflFer from the Indian gems. Another peculiarity of the Cape diamond
is the large proportion of cleaved stones, or "cleavage", which appear
to be entirely absent in the parcel submitted to us from the Crown
Jewel Mine.
The
black specks so frequently met with, not only in the Cape, but also in
Brazilian diamonds, appear in those from Inverell to be more or less
confined to the surface planes, not extending to any depth within the
crystals, and would doubtless be eliminated in the cutting without
detracting to any great extent from the value of the stones as gems.
These stones are mostly either colorless or yellow. Some of the
colorless diamonds are very beautiful stones, and the quality quite
justifies the manner in which parcels have been brought into the London
market.
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