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Forms
and Properties
Diamonds are found in various parts of the world. In
past centuries fine diamonds came from India. This is
the world's oldest major source of diamonds; and supplied
stones for centuries to all parts of the globe. Indian
diamonds are found in riverbeds. These stones were weathered
out of source rocks arid concentrated in streams over
a period of many years. Such river deposits are termed
alluvial, and Indian alluvial de¬posits were worked
as early as 800.
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Much
of our information about old Indian workings comes from
the writings of the great traveler Taver¬nier, who
lived and traveled in the 17th Century. Most of the
Indian diamonds came from an area known as Golconda.
Other Indian de¬34 posits include those of the Brahamani
River, the Panna diamond fields,And the mines of Sumelpur. |
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In
the early part of the 18th Century, diamonds were discovered
in an area later called Diamantina. They were not easy to
sell because it was feared that a flood of Brazilian stones
would depress prices. To avoid the stigma placed on Brazilian
diamonds, dealers sent them to India, where they were marketed
as Indian gems. Later diamonds were also found in Bahia and
near Bagagem, Brazil. Brazilian diamonds, like the Indian
gems, are found as alluvium in and stream deposits.
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DIAMONDS,
GEMSTONES & CRYSTALS
FACTS & FIGURES |
| Diamonds
are found in Venezuela (all alluvial), Guyana,
Borneo, Australia. A diamond mine at Murfreesboro,
Arkansas has yielded many small stones, as well
as a few larger ones. The Uncle Sam weighing 40.23
carats in the rough, was the largest diamond ever
discovered in North America.
It
yielded a 12.42 carat emerald cut gem now in a
private collection. The Murfreesboro deposit,
has been worked for years visitors who would pay
a small fee for the privilege of indulging in
"diamond-hunting fever." Small diamonds
are still occasionally found.
Some
diamonds have been found in Canada, in glacial
deposits. These deposits were accumulated by glacial
action that scoured vast portions of the country,
and the source rocks have never been discov¬ered.
The U.S.S.R. is currently a leading producer of
diamonds, in fact the world's largest outside
Africa. Mining conditions are very difficult due
to the extreme cold. |
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The
vast majority of the world's gem diamond comes from Africa.
The first diamond discovered in Africa was found by a child
in 1867. Within a few years a "diamond rush" had
started in South Africa that helped to develop this rich and
beautiful country. |
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