File:Diamonds and precious stones, a popular account of gems (1874) (14592173620).jpg

Identifier: diamondsprecious1874dieu (find matches)
Title: Diamonds and precious stones, a popular account of gems ..
Year: 1874 (1870s)
Authors: Dieulafait, Louis, b. 1830 Sanford, Fanchon, tr
Subjects: Precious stones Diamonds Gems
Publisher: New York, Scribner, Armstrong, and Company
Contributing Library: Boston College Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Boston Library Consortium Member Libraries

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the profit is divided among the boys, the one who acts as their chief receiving one-fourth per cent, more than the others. Young as they are, adds Tavernier, they know the price of every stone so well that if any of them have made a purchase, and is willing to lose a half per cent., another will give him his money. He describes the devices resorted to by jewel-dealers to conceal any defects there might be in their merchandise ; and the skilful manner of planning the cutting so as to dispose of flaws. From the very moment of its recognition, it would seem that the diamond quickened the wits of its possessor, and aroused an ambition of brilliant gain. Even the poor slave in the mines managed occasionally to elude the sleepless vigilance of the overseers, and conceal a valuable gem. Tavernier saw in one of the Indian mines a poor wretch who, to appropriate to himself a fine diamond of the dimensions shown in Fig. 27, had forced it into the corner of his eye in such a way as to conceal it completely.
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Fig. 26. "View in a Diamond District of Brazil". DIAMOND MINES OF BRAZIL. Page 61 According to Heynes account of the mines of Hindostan, the diamond is found in alluvial soil, or the most recent rocks. Shallow pits are excavated to the diamond beds, which lie about eight feet below the surface, in a conglomerate of rounded stones under two distinct layers;the uppermost, a mixture of sand, gravel, and loam; and the other, thick black clay or mud. DIAMOND MINES OF BRAZIL. Brazilian diamonds are found in the district of Minas Geraes, at San Paulo, in the beds of various rivers, and at Serro Frio, or Cold Mountain, a lofty plateau measuring eight leagues by sixteen. The most productive districts of late are Matto Grosso and Bahia. The diamonds occur usually in alluvial soil, enveloped in a conglomerate formed of rounded white quartz pebbles and light-coloured sand. The miners have names for each variety of soil ; as... Fig. 27. Size of a Diamond hidden by a slave in the corner of his eye.

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