cause
the latter is more easily discerned, many choose it as the more
valuable. They err. A decided tint is desirable, but it should be free
from the blackish admixture, which is often mistaken for depth of blue.
The finest color is not always immediately recognized except by
experts. Even they only grade it exactly by careful comparison with
other stones. It should be remembered here that in these infrequent
productions of nature every shade of betterment counts far beyond all
reason, seemingly, to those who do not know their rarity.
This
quality of color was long termed " Old Mine," from Brazil goods so
called. Since the opening of the African mines, a new name has been
given to material of this character. As a mine called the
Jagersfontein yielded many of these bluish-tinted diamonds, it soon
became customary in trade circles to call everything of that grade "
Jagers" (pronounced Yahgers). This is now the trade term for blue
goods, the name " Old Mine" being confined to the old cut stones of
that quality which occasionally drift back into the market from private
hands.
Rated
next to blue goods, and preferred by many, are the purest white or "
River" goods. Although rated here among dealers below Jagers, this
material in the rough at the mines has brought a much higher average
price than the Jagers. The name " River" is given to them because they
are from the river diggings, being found along the Vaal River. These
goods are notable for purity of color and the limpid appearance
associated with it. They much resemble the fine stones of India in
character. It is worthy of note that, for some unknown reason, the
stones of wet diggings are superior in quality, as a rule, to those of
the dry diggings.
After
these come crystals, which are subdivided into " crystals" and " top
crystals." This is the standard grade of many jewellers, who pride
themselves on carrying nothing poorer in stock. Some, whose trade will
not pay the price
