Diamonds are always a fascinating subject. They have been catalysts to the rise and fall of myriad fortune seekers. The South African story is no different.
The diamond industry in South Africa was established in 1868. It retains its important place in the economy of South Africa and has been the foundation of its modern industrialisation. South Africa’s chief diamond pipes are relatively wide-spread across South Africa. The producing areas are - Kimberley in the Cape Province; Transvaal (now called Gauteng); the Orange Free State (now called Free State); and the North West Cape. Diamond digging operations at the famous Big Hole in Kimberley ceased in 1914.
The diamond industry in South Africa was established in 1868. It retains its important place in the economy of South Africa and has been the foundation of its modern industrialisation. South Africa’s chief diamond pipes are relatively wide-spread across South Africa. The producing areas are - Kimberley in the Cape Province; Transvaal (now called Gauteng); the Orange Free State (now called Free State); and the North West Cape. Diamond digging operations at the famous Big Hole in Kimberley ceased in 1914.
The Biggest Diamond in the World
Premier Mine, where the world’s largest diamond, the 3,025-carat Cullinan Diamond, was discovered in 1905, is one of South Africa’s largest diamond mines. The Cullinan Diamond is the largest uncut diamond ever discovered. However, when it comes to polished diamonds, the Great Star of Africa (530.4 carats) lost its title as the biggest polished diamond to the Golden Jubilee Diamond (545.67 carats) in 1985.
Premier Mine, where the world’s largest diamond, the 3,025-carat Cullinan Diamond, was discovered in 1905, is one of South Africa’s largest diamond mines. The Cullinan Diamond is the largest uncut diamond ever discovered. However, when it comes to polished diamonds, the Great Star of Africa (530.4 carats) lost its title as the biggest polished diamond to the Golden Jubilee Diamond (545.67 carats) in 1985.
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| Still the Biggest Known Rough Diamond in the World |
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| Frederick Wells with The Cullinan Diamond |
Outwitting Thieves
Transporting the diamond from South Africa to England caused much anxiety to the authorities. In a novel plan, detectives from London were placed on a steamboat that was rumoured to carry the stone. The stone on that ship was actually a fake, meant to attract those who would be interested in stealing it. The actual diamond was sent to England in a plain box via parcel post, albeit registered!
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| The Nine Main Cullinan Diamond Cuts |
Mining and Recovery Methods
Most South Africans are aware of our diamond legacy and are proud of it. In a world-wide recognition of the diamond industry in South Africa, the dark grey or black volcanic rock is known as kimberlite. The
name 'kimberlite' is derived from Kimberley, a town in South Africa, named
after Lord Kimberley who was, at the time, the British Colonial Secretary. Rough, natural diamonds are often recovered
from 'kimberlite', which is also known
as ‘blue ground’ (a layer of non-oxidized kimberlite). The rock is located in an unlimited depth and
forms crater pipes through a gaseous explosions.
Kimberlites are a class of igneous rocks
commonly associated with diamond mining. Before the advent of modern
geophysical probes, the ideal way to find a kimberlite
pipe was to search for "yellow ground", a layer of
oxidized kimberlite which is a deep tawny yellow. "Blue ground" was
regarded with scorn during the South
African diamond rushes.
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| Formation of Kimberlites |
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| Formation of Kimberlites |
One of the central characters in the initial diamond rush, and a South African legend, Barney Barnato, who made his fortune by purchasing digs in which the "blue ground" was all that remained.
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| Barney Barnato (link to additional information) |
I'm ignorant when it comes to diamonds. So, thank you very much for the information. It was interesting, but I think they'll still not be my best friend (as in that song Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend). :-)
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