Diamonds,
which remained for many years hidden among her treasures ; at the end
of which period was discovered that from time to time these stones had
given birth to several indisputable facsimiles.
The Diamond is
phosphoric, and electric. Diamonds, and gold have always had a strange
connection together ; in Brazil they are found in close union. About
some parts of that country gold can be picked up in the streets after a
shower of rain ; and diamonds have been discovered entangled in the
roots of vegetables, also in the crops of chickens.
Ben
Mansur, the Oriental writer, has likewise said," The Diamond has a
strange affinity for gold ; small particles of which metal fly towards
it. Furthermore, this precious metal is wonderfully sought-after by
ants ; which crowd over it, as though they would swallow it up."
According
to the assertions of ancient philosophers (and of " Sinbad, the Sailor
"), gems were obtained in former days by flinging beefsteaks down
inaccessible precipices, for vultures, and eagles to fetch up the same
with a fringe of diamonds adhering thereto.
Diamonds
are often found coloured, and, when so, are valuable in proportion to
the fulness, and richness of the tint. Even perfectly black diamonds
have been discovered; but these are rare. The small, soft, and
ill-complexioned Diamonds, neither purely colourless, nor richly
tinged, are broken up for diamond-dust, worth fifty pounds the ounce ;
this is used for cutting cameos, and onyxes, as well as for polishing
some of their inferior relations. The difference between " brilliant,"
" rose," and " table," diamonds consists only in the cutting.
