We only know that the Greeks named the central river of India, Adamas, which now is called Mahynady.
In Pliny, we find the African diamond of Gourmel mentioned, and this river flows near Constantina.
The
mines and adamantine deposits of Visapour were discovered in 1430, and
those of Golconda in 1662. Afterwards others were found in Borneo, in
Sumatra, in the Celebes, in the gold mines of Antioquia, in Brazil,
Columbia, Carthaginia, and California.
In
modern times, the villages of Mannemurg and of Muddemurg, in Asia, are
celebrated as being places where the largest known diamonds are found.
At
Latarwar, also in Asia, the largest and finest are procured ; and those
of more usual size, at Gani, Malacca, Bisnagur, Gazerpelle, Gouart,
Pegu, and other places situated near Mont Catti, an immense chain of
granite, which extends from Bengal to Cape Cormorin.
In
the last century, the most important mines were those of Parteal,
situated about twenty miles from Golconda. Diamonds are also found in
the Eiver Gomel, which empties itself into the Ganges; in Krichnak, and
in many other places.
Now, as formerly, the principal market for these precious gems is held at Benares and at Bowanipour, in the province of Bengal.
In
the territories of the city of Pontianak and of Benjermassin, situated
in the south-eastern part of the island of Borneo, and in the
crystalline mountains of the north of that island, very rich mines of
diamonds
