86 PRECIOUS STONES
stones. Nevertheless, the average quality is not good, and they run flawy.
The
mines have never been scientifically worked, and with the advent of
African diamonds the industry has been much neglected. The crystals are
found in the river sands, or in beds of clay, sand, and gravel,
sometimes at a considerable depth. They are usually in the form of
octahedrons or dodecahedrons. Twinned crystals are common also.
Landak,
in Western Borneo, is most famous, though many are found in Kusan on
the eastern side of the island, and near Martapura in the gold-bearing
district of Tanahlant in the southwest. They are found also in the
Sikajam and Meran Rivers. Some very rare colors have been found in the
Sarawak River.
The
crystals are generally small; ninety-five per cent, are under one
carat, and the few large stones found come into the possession of the
rulers. The Prince of Landak has several large diamonds, and the Rajah
of Mattam has a very fine one, the " Segima," weighing seventy carats,
and another of fifty-four carats. When the crystal is found in the form
of an octahedron, the natives call it a " perfect stone," and polish
the faces simply.
It
is not possible to know what the production of Borneo has been, as the
princes of the country assert the right to all stones they may desire
over five carats found in their several provinces, at a fixed^irice.
The consequence is that either they obtain all the important pieces, or
they are sold at home as contraband.
Diamonds
were found in New South Wales as far back as 1851, but not until July,
1869, were the diggings systematically worked. Operations were then
commenced by the Australian Diamond Mines Company of Melbourne. A
London company was formed in 1897, " The Inverell Diamond Fields,
Limited," for the purpose of mining diamonds in Australia.
