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78
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African Diamonds.
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pronounce it a genuine Diamond! This
was in March, 1867, and the Universal Exhibition in Paris was about to
open in the spring. What more [appropriate, the doctor thought, than to
send this stone to Paris ? Here was the greatest novelty the Colony
could exhibit—the first African Diamond of modern days !
Dr.
Atherstone accordingly communicated his suggestion to the Colonial
Secretary, the Hon. R. Southey, and in consequence of this suggestion
the Diamond was duly conveyed by steamer to Cape Town, where it was
examined by the French Consul, M. Heriette, who having confirmed
Atherstone's determination as to the stone, forwarded it in due course
to Paris. There it stood during the whole summer, and having been
examined by savants of all nations, it was purchased at the
close of the Exhibition by Sir Philip Woodhouse, at that time the
Governor of the Colony, for the sum of £ 500. The weight of this Diamond was 21-3/16 carats,
Such
is the history of the discovery of the first Cape Diamond of modern
times. O'Reilly soon afterwards found a second stone weighing 8-7/8 carats,
which realised £200. This man may therefore, be justly regarded as the
pioneer in this century of the great Diamond-mining industry of South
Africa.
Mr.
Van Niekerk, who also played an important part in the early history of
the Diamond fields, shortly afterwards obtained from a native a
Diamond weighing 83-1/2 carats, which he sold in Hopetown for £11,200.
This stone when cut, became known as the " Star of South Africa." Other
discoveries, rapidly following one another, led to the modern
development of the great Diamond-fields of South Africa.
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