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Australian Diamonds. 101
similarity
in many respects to Brazilian Diamonds, and pointed out that they were
found to be much harder than the Diamonds of South Africa.
Whilst
Victoria is pre-eminently the " Golden Colony," it is only now and then
that a solitary Diamond has been found there. In 1862, the discovery of
a Diamond in the Ovens district was announced by Mr. George Foord. It
was a transparent yellow crystal, with perfect edges, weighing about
two grains. The Rev. J. J. Bleasdale, who paid great attention to the
study of Australian gems, described three Victorian Diamonds—two from
Beechcroft, and the third from Collingwood Flat. There appears,
however, to have been some little doubt hanging over the reputed
discoveries of Diamonds in Victoria; but in 1865 an Exhibition of Gems
was held in the Hall of the Royal Society of Victoria, and from the
specimens then exhibited and the information accompanying them, the
matter was set at rest. "The results of this exhibition," said Dr.
Bleasdale, " have now placed this important truth beyond impeachment."
Altogether about sixty Diamonds have been found in the Beechworth
district, but they have not been of good colour, nor of large size,
most of them weighing less than a carat.
The
first Australian Diamond ever brought to this country was presented by
Sir Thomas Mitchell to the Museum of Practical Geology, in Jermyn
Street, where it may now be seen. This small crystal weighs J of a
carat, and was found near Ophir, west of Bathurst, New South Wales.
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