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African Diamonds. 89
41
compound," and the strictest supervision is exercised over them. The
Diamond trade is regulated on the fields by the "Diamond Trade Act,"
known commonly as the " I.D.B. Act," its object being to prevent
Illicit Diamond Buying. But, notwithstanding its stringency and the
severity of the punishment accorded by the Special Court, the I.D.B.
trade still flourishes.
One
of the most interesting features in the Diamond production of South
Africa is the large number of stones of unusual size which have been
brought to light. Among those found in the river washings attention may
be called to the famous " Stewart," which was found in 1872, at
Waldeck's Plant, on the Vaal River. It is a Diamond of light yellow
colour, beautifully crystallized, and weighed in its rough state 288|
carats, of nearly two ounces troy.
One
of the finest South African Diamonds ever discovered was found on
February 12, 1880, in a claim at Kimberley, belonging to Mr. Porter
Rhodes. It is true that in weight it has been exceeded by many other
stones, but in purity of colour it has very few rivals. It weighs 150
carats, and placed by the side of Cape stones, having a slight tendency
to yellowish tints, it seems to present the faintest possible shade of
blue. This magnificent " blue-white " Diamond, which was valued by its
owner at £200,000, was publicly exhibited at Streeter's Museum in Bond
Street.
Stones
weighing over an ounce (151.5 carats) are by no means unfrequent at
Kimberley. The largest Diamond ever found in either of the mines at
Kimberley was a noble octahedral crystal from De Beer's weighing in the
rough 428-1/2 carats. This stone was sent to the Paris Exhibition of
1889 where it was cut to a brilliant weighing 228-1/2 carats. It is known as the " Victoria."
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