Diamond is the most valuable, not only of precious stones, but of all things in this world. And other investigations of the diamond trade and the rise and fall of diamonds. You now know the history of diamonds in general, but some diamonds are so famous they have their own unique history. In the first century ad, the roman naturalist pliny stated.
The cullinan diamond was the largest gemquality rough diamond ever found, weighing 3,106. In april 1905, it was put on sale in london, but despite considerable interest, it was still unsold after two years. The cullinan, the largest gem quality diamond ever found, was discovered at the premier mine on 26th. Finally, the nature of diamonds chronicles scientific and cultural history and explores the diamond as both a sacred and a social symbol, including a picture history of betrothal rings. It weighed about 84 carats in rough form and was cut to about 48 carats. A journey to the heart of an obsession with the journey of a spectacular 81carat pink diamond, from the garimpeiros who plucked it from brazils abaete river in 1999 until its disappearance into the hands of a.
The world diamond council, formed in 2000 to combat illegal diamond trading in africa, maintains that diamonds benefit the world in many ways other than just looking pretty. Part 2 18932014 within a few years of their discovery, the diamonds deposits of south africa produced more diamonds than what had come from india in two millennia. Superbly written with plenty of twists and unexpected turns. The star of south africa is a pear diamond weighing 47.
It was named after thomas cullinan, the mines chairman. Starting in 1870 around the time diamonds were first discovered near kimberly, the book initially focuses on cecil rhodes, who realized early on that the best way to make money out of the diamond industry was. But throughout history, the diamond has been associated with everything from magic, to power, to protection. The cullinan diamond is the largest uncut diamond ever discovered. At the beginning of the 20th century south africa had established itself as the worlds top diamond producing country, and was followed by other countries within the african continent and beyond. This marked the start of a new chapter in the history of diamonds. This article was most recently revised and updated by amy tikkanen, corrections manager.
The story of diamonds has often been told, and with good reason. It was on this historical day that he discovered the worlds biggest diamond. With a scholars precision and a novelists eye, he recounts the rise of wild frontier towns like new rush now kimberley and johannesburg. The cullinan diamond price is estimated at more than two billion us dollars.
If this be true of the most famous and prolific of all diamond fields before the opening of the south african placers and mines, any delay in the revelation of the field in the heart of south africa may be easily understood. Impossible by loretta chase, as you desire by connie brockway, a spear of summer grass by deanna raybourn, trade wind by. Fascinating facts and info about history of diamonds. A look at the background of mzansis most soughtafter stone. This reading list was compiled to give you an opportunity to learn more about the history of diamond fields of south africa. In 2011, the first edition of 500 books in portugal was mysteriously bought out as soon as it hit the stores. Books on the 19th century south african diamond industry. After a flurry of press reports, the book, now in its fifth edition, became a best. Jun 24, 2014 todd cleveland is an assistant professor of history at the university of arkansas. Diamonds international introduces film about namibia, the. This famous diamond is white in color and before it was cut, the original cullinan diamond size was 621. Jun 27, 2007 i cut and pasted these from a bibliography for a paper i wrote on conflict diamonds and the diamond trade in general.
I learnt about the carnation revolution in portugal in 1974, which is a part of history i wasnt fully educated on, as well as the civil war in angola that followed. The official story of namibias diamond history starts in 1908, when a young railways worker, zacharias lewala picks up a large shiny diamond whilst on duty near the countrys southern coastal town of luderitz. History of diamond mines in south africa diamonds were first discovered in cape colony in the year 1867. Sir thomas cullinan at premier mine, south africa in 1905. After a flurry of press reports, the book, now in its fifth edition, became a best seller in portugal whose government is a major shareholder in the company that owns 49% of the diamond. Last year, the washington post ran an article saying that thrillers set in africa are hot.
Find out about the interesting subject of history of diamonds. Here also is an overview of cutting, from the rough stones in roman rings to the highlyfaceted stones we see today, and a glimpse into the business of diamonds. The diamond takes pride of place as one of the most significant and historical diamonds in the world, not so much for its size, shape, color, or clarity, but because it has gone down in history, as the diamond that turned the tides of fortune in south africa, setting off a diamond rush that eventually led to the discovery of the world famous. The woman shaking up the diamond industry the new yorker. Great star of africa, also called cullinan i, the largest 530. The civil unrest in west africa has lead to the illegal trade of diamonds to finance wars the infamous blood diamonds. A number of the articles were published in the 1800s and early 1900s when many classical gem deposits of historical importance were discovered and. Business, politics and precious stones in south africa, 18671947.
In april 1905, it was put on sale in london, but despite considerable interest, it was still. This symbolic meaning lends itself well to the diamonds historic commemoration of eternal love. Todd cleveland is an assistant professor of history at the university of arkansas. Similar in approach, this book explores the history of south africa in a way that reminds one of jared diamonds guns, germs and steel. Little did he know that this nondescript act would set off a chain of events so large, it would change the course of history forever.
A diamond has to go through a lot before it reaches the jewelers display case. Even many harsh critics of the current state of the african diamond trade tend to agree that shutting out the diamond industry would have a negative effect on many innocent people in the peaceful nations of africa that rely on diamond mines for their livelihood. What an enlightenment and education this book has been. It is first known to have been seen at the house of a dutch farmer named jacobs, in the northern limits of the cape colony, and south of the orange river.
Diamonds were formed over 3 billion years ago, deep within the earths crust. However, when it comes to polished diamonds, the great star of africa 530. The true story of the kohinoor diamondand why the british wont give it back a star of londons crown jewels, the indian gem has a bloody history of colonial conquest. Kolmanskop ghost town and the namibian diamonds history.
Englands battles with the boers in the transvaal, including an exhaustive history of the settlement of cape colony, wars with the kaffirs, matabeles, zulus, the diamond and gold mines of south africa and a history of exploration, discovery, conquest and development by all the famous travelers that have traversed the dark. African diamond mines are located in south africa, namibia, botswana, the democratic republic of congo, angola, tanzania and sierra leone. Jan 01, 2007 similar in approach, this book explores the history of south africa in a way that reminds one of jared diamond s guns, germs and steel. One of the biggest diamonds in history found in southern africa 15 january 2018 11. I cut and pasted these from a bibliography for a paper i wrote on conflict diamonds and the diamond trade in general. The first diamond sighting was believed to have occurred in india around 2500bc as alluvial deposits along the penner, krishna and godavari rivers. A novel by zakes mda is a wonderful, racy satire on life in one crosssection of the new south africa, roodepoort, west of the conglomerate of communities that make up johannesburg. Diamonds international introduces film about namibia, the shining diamond of africa inspiring documentary showcasing the beauty, history and spirited people of namibia, africas hidden diamond. South africas relationship to the rest of africa has been ambiguous. The government of great britain took an even greater interest in south africa, stepping in to try to bribe or force the relucant natives to work the diamond mines established by.
Also known as the star of africa, the cullinan diamond started out as a 3,106. In 1866, diamonds were discovered in kimberley, south africa, sparking. Some of the most famous diamonds in the world include. Diamonds have a long history as beautiful objects of desire. Star of south africa, also called the dudley diamond, first large diamond found in south africa.
Check out this site providing facts and information about history of diamonds. The diamond is more than just aesthetically beautifulits an enduring symbol of love, romance, and commitment. Sep 02, 2009 some 30 million carrats, or 6,000 kg, are exported from botswana each year, representing a quarter of the worlds total annual diamond production. The history of the diamond is a long and magical one, starting from ancient greeks and egyptians and ending on your ring finger. Mar 26, 2015 in 2011, the first edition of 500 books in portugal was mysteriously bought out as soon as it hit the stores. According to ian balfours description of the event, in his 1968 book. For example, roughly 10 million people worldwide are supported by the diamond industry. A history of africas diamonds africa in world history 978082142. He is the author of stones of contention and diamonds in the rough, as well numerous book chapters and articles on the history of diamond mining and on soccer within the former portuguese empire in africa. A journey to the heart of an obsession with the journey of a spectacular 81carat pink diamond, from the garimpeiros who plucked it from brazils abaete river in 1999 until its disappearance into the hands of a private collector. The stones name is derived from the greek word adamas, which translates to unconquerable. Matthew hart, former mining editor of the rapaport diamond report, opens diamond. Cullinan diamond history and facts cullinan diamond. I knew little about the art gallery and even less about rare books and africana but these facts did not diminish her insistence that my.
A history of south african capitalism in national and global perspective worldwide as a racist pariah state. It weighed about 84 carats in rough form and was cut. The angolan clan is a thrilling read from start to finish. Diamonds international introduces film about namibia, the shining diamond of africa inspiring documentary showcasing the beauty, history and spirited people of namibia, africa s hidden diamond. Several previously wartorn nations, such as sierra leone and liberia, are finally. I have, and can provide, the titles of numerous related books but they deal mostly with sierra leone and angola. The cullinan diamond was the largest gemquality rough diamond ever found, weighing. The diamond mines of south africa i gardner williams farlang. One of the biggest diamonds in history found in southern africa.
May 30, 2015 the government of great britain took an even greater interest in south africa, stepping in to try to bribe or force the relucant natives to work the diamond mines established by european mining firms. The first known finding of a diamond in south africa was as recent as 1867, and this diamond was found by accident and could not for a time obtain any credence. There is much to know about the history of diamonds in south africa. A history of south african capitalism in national and global.
Namdia the official history of diamonds in namibia. Star of south africa, first large diamond found in south africa. Jan 15, 2018 one of the biggest diamonds in history found in southern africa 15 january 2018 11. Meredith, a prolific writer about african mostly postcolonial history, covers southern africa from the discovery of diamonds through to 1910 and the union of south africa and so packs in a fasinating chunk of events and people diamond and gold rushes, zulu and. It was also in this area that the eureka diamond was found.
A 3106carat diamond is discovered in south africa and christened the cullinan. Todays diamond market is also divided into two main segments. One is the gemstone segment, encompassing diamond rings, necklaces, stones, and other precious jewelery. The star of south africa, also known as the dudley diamond, is a 47. A number of the articles were published in the 1800s and early 1900s when many classical gem deposits of historical importance were discovered and gemology and mineralogy became sciences.
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