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Ch. 11: Home of the Diamond

Ch. 11: Home of the Diamond Page of 401 Ch. 11: Home of the Diamond Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
HOME OF THE DIAMOND.
20Γ
but there remains no uncertainty about their unparalleled
wealth when first opened. Though the production has been
decreasing for some time, yet it is believed that a vast extent
of diamond-bearing territory remains to be explored.
These mines afford, as a rule, stones of much smaller size
than those of India, not more than one in ten thousand exceeding twenty carats; yet there have been some specimens of
great size, including the Star of the South, the Braganza (if it
be a diamond), and several others of less weight. The Portuguese government declared, in 1730, that the diamonds found
in the regions lying between twenty and thirteen degrees
south latitude, belonged to the crown ; these boundary lines
were called the " Diamantina demarcation."
Mawe visited the mines of Brazil in 1812, a favor never
before granted to a foreigner ; no Portuguese, even, had ever
been allowed to approach them except on business. This
traveller relates an amusing story about the discovery of a.
diamond of immense size, in this wise : A free negro of Villa
do Principe informed the Prince Regent that he was in possession of a very large specimen, and begged the honor of presenting it in person to His Royal Highness. Accordingly, an
escort was sent to bring the diamond and its owner to the
capital, a journey which occupied twenty-eight days, and was
the occasion of great public interest. Much surprise was
awakened on its arrival, that so large a diamond could possibly
exist ; it weighed nearly one pound. However, it was sent tcthe treasury under a strong guard, and the English traveller was
requested to give his opinion of its merits. The test of scratching with a diamond was applied, when, greatly to the disappointment and chagrin of the parties concerned, it yielded to
the friction, — it proved to be rock-crystal. Instead of a magnificent fortune and distinguished honors, the luckless discov-
Ch. 11: Home of the Diamond Page of 401 Ch. 11: Home of the Diamond
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