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Vicissitudes: Minas

The official account of the diamond exploitation in Brazil was that of D. Lourenco de Almeida, the first governor of Minas Geraes (Aug. 18th, 1721, Sept. 1st, 1732), who reported the new source of wealth to the home government. Portugal at once declared the diamond district to be crown property, and established the celebrated Diamantine demarcation, forty-two leagues in circumference, with a diameter of fourteen to fifteen leagues. Among the crown jewels of Portugal is a magnificent diamond, "the Braganza," which was extracted from the mine of Caetha Mirim, in 1741. It was worn by D. Joas VI., who had a passion for precious stones, and possessed them to an amount estimated at three millions sterling. There are some differences as to the weight of this diamond; Mawe and the Abbe Reynal make it 1,680 carats. It is, however, suspected to be a fine white topaz, a stone which, in the Brazil and elsewhere, often counterfeits the diamond. Mr. St. John, in his "Forests of the East," mentions a noble in Brunei who, for one thousand pounds, offered a diamond for sale the size of a pullet's egg, which proved to be a pinkish topaz.

These Brazilian discoveries of diamonds are very curious. The Abaete brilliant was found in 1791, and the circumstances of its discovery are related by Mawe and others. Three men, convicted of capital offences, Antonio da Sousa, Jose Felis Gomes, and Thomas da Souza, were exiled to the far west of Minas, and forbidden, under pain of death, to enter a city, wandered about for some six years, braving cannibals and wild beasts, in search of treasure. Whilst washing for gold in the Abaete river, which was then exceptionably dry, they discovered this diamond, weighing nearly an ounce (576 grains--144 carats). They trusted to a priest, who, despite the severe laws against diamond-washers, led them to Villa Rica, and submitted the stone to the Governor of Minas, whose doubts were dissipated by a special commission. The priest obtained several privileges, and the malefactors their pardon, no other reward being mentioned.

So far, the new world gave promise of a more copious supply of diamonds than the old. The famous jewels of Golconda are associated with the diamond beds of Raolconda and Gomec Parteal, from whence they were really derived, and which are situated in the territories of the kings of Golconda, on the north bank of the Kistna river. The fickle changes of fortune, which are especially obvious in the discoveries of the precious metals and jewels, are conspicuous in this world-renowned district, which has been the fountain of almost fabulous wealth. The diamonds found at Parteal were merely cut and polished at Golconda; the place itself now affords no indication of its former distinction, being in ruins, and the inhabitants, descendants of those who were enriched by their precious discoveries, being ill-clothed and half-starved in appearance. "The existence of diamonds in South Africa" (remarks Mr. Boyle, in his interesting work, "To the Cape for Diamonds") "had been several times asserted before the English conquest of Cape Colony. It was so far accredited in the middle of the last century, that the words, 'Here be diamonds,' are to be seen inscribed across our modern territory of Griqualand West, in a mission map of 1750, or thereabouts. The probability of such discoveries had also been pointed out by various men of science, the late Sir Roderick Murchison, among others. The old Dutch residents of Cape Town appear to have been quite astir upon the matter on several occasions; but as years passed on the ancient rumour died away. Men had to search back for memories long buried, when Governor Wodehouse set the colony in agitation by exhibiting the 'Hopetown Diamond,' in 1867. That Bushmen, Corannas, and other tribes of low condition, used the gem mechanically from immemorial time, seems to be quite ascertained. They still remember how their fathers made periodical visits to the rivers of West Griqualand, seeking diamonds to bore their 'weighting stones.' "The re-discovery, however, took place in 1867. At that date, a shrewd trader, named Niekirk, passing through a country forty miles or so to the west of Hopetown, saw the children of a Boer, called Jacobs, playing with pebbles picked up along the banks of the neighbouring Orange. Struck with the appearance of one among their playthings, Niekirk told Vrouw Jacobs that it reminded him of the white shining stones mentioned in the Bible. As he uttered the words, an ostrich-hunter, named O'Reilly, chanced to pass the doorway of the house. He overheard, entered, and was also impressed. Vague ideas of a diamond--which none of the three had ever seen--passed through their minds. They tried the pebble upon glass, scratching the sash all over, as I have seen it at this day. A bargain was struck. O'Reilly took the stone for sale, and each of the parties present were to share. At Capetown, upon the verdict of Dr. Atherstone, Sir P. E. Wodehouse gave pound 500 for it. The news of this discovery spread fast, and there was a general rush to the diamond fields. "In 1869, a Hottentot shepherd, named Schwarzboy, brought to Mr. Gers' store, at the Hook, a gem of 83 1/2 carats, the 'Star of Africa,' wide-famed. In Mr. Gers' absence, the shopman did not like to risk the pound 200 worth of goods demanded. Schwarzboy passed on to the farm of that same Niekirk already mentioned. Here he demanded pound 400, which Niekirk ultimately paid, receiving pound 12,000 from Messrs. Lilienfeld the same day. The diamond was passed to Capetown, and all the colony rose."

Mr. Boyle remarks that "the next generation of colonists will certainly be round-shouldered, for the quick eyes of children were found to be peculiarly useful in the search for diamonds."

The "Estrella do Sul" (Star of the South) brilliant, in the possession of the Khedive of Egypt, has a curious story attached to it. It was found in 1853, at Bargugem, of Minas Geraes (Brazil), by a negress. In the rough state it weighed 254 1/2 carats. Of the score or two of persons who made fortunes by the discovery, Casimiro (de Tal), whose negress brought it to him in order to obtain her freedom, was the only one disappointed, having sold it for pound 3,000. At the Bank of Rio de Janeiro it was deposited for pound 30,000. It was cut by Costar, of Amsterdam, who became its possessor, and was sold to the Khedive.

Not so fortunate as the negress was the finder of a diamond in the mines of Zejuco, in the same country. He was a negro slave, and very popular among his fellow workpeople, who all wished him to gain his liberty. His chance depended upon the weight of the diamond, and on its being placed in the balance it was found to be sixteen carats and a half. One carat more, he would have obtained his freedom.

A wonderful unearthing of treasure occurred at Petrossa, in Roumania, part of the ancient Roman Dacia. A mass of gold and jewels was exhumed by some peasants, so immense, that the ignorant finders were bewildered, and probably not conceiving that gold could be in such masses, one of them gave a piece of a salver to a tinker to mend his kettle! Ultimately many of the important objects were recovered, and among them extraordinary bird-shaped fibulae, inlaid with precious stones; a gorget, with the garnet ornament in slices; and with these, two torques of Celtic character; the other objects being Gothic and Gotho-Byzantine.

The "Tara" brooch, now in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy, was found near Drogheda, and sold to a metal merchant for a shilling! Five hundred pounds were subsequently offered for it. The gold filagree and plaited work is of such delicacy, that it has defied all imitation.