UOTING the words of Pliny we can say: "Maximum in rcbus

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humanis, non solum inter gemmas, pretium habet adamas."

As far as our reliable records reach back into the dim and mystic ages, we find the diamond occupying a prominent position in the estimation of man. Above all other of its qualities, which at present determine its value, the superior hardness to all substances then known, seems to have impressed the Ancients. There appears to be but little doubt, that at very early ages the East Indians and the original inhabitants of the Chinese Empire knew the value of diamonds over all other gems. It is supposable, too, that the art of cutting was known to them, although it was not employed in the western countries until many centuries later.

Some doubt may appear whether the ancient Hebrews really possessed the diamond. In translations the word "shamir" is rendered as diamond. We find that the breast-plate of the High Priest contained a "diamond" in the second row of precious. stones. We furthermore find, however, that these twelve stones were according to the names of the children of Israel,"

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"like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes." It seems improbable that they should have been able to engrave the diamond. Other passages occur where the diamond is used as a symbol of greatest hardness. One allusion is made that shows its application in the art of engraving; Jeremiah says: "The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron and with the point of a diamond; it is graven upon the table of their heart." Corundum was known to the Hebrews, and 1 Among all human things, not only among gems, the diamond is the most precious.

the comparative paucity of direct references to the diamond may lead to the supposition that some one of the corundum minerals was thereby meant. If a diamond was really spoken of, then this is one of the oldest reliable mentions made (600 B. C.).

Among the Greeks, Homer (1000 B. C.) uses the word "Adapas," but in his writings it signifies steel. There is no evidence that the precious stone known 600 years name of adamas, was among those with which quainted.

later, under the Homer was ac

Hesiodus, living about an hundred years later than Homer, uses the same word, but it merely designates some-to his mind -indestructible metal. Thus the sickle of Chronos, the helmet of Heracles, the chains binding Prometheus, and other similar instruments were composed of adamas. Roman poets and other writers have copied the idea and have constructed the gates to Hades and other durable objects from the same material. An interesting analogy, although a purely poetical one, may be found in the fact that the first seal rings, Sphragides of the Greeks, were manufactured from the chains confining Prometheus. The stones set into them were obtained from the rock to which the unfortunate thief was bound. Thus did man honor him who conferred a lasting boon by stealing fire from the irate Jupiter.

Later on, the term adamas was applied to the diamond. There is evidence extant showing that the cutting qualities of diamonds were utilized in Greece and Asia Minor about 400 years before Christ. Owing to the fact that no mineral or metal could produce any graven impression upon the diamond, it took the name above given, which literally means "not conquerable." Pliny adopted it, as did others of the more recent Roman writers. The former furnishes a learned description of the gem and its peculiar qualities, while the latter use the word to express a very high degree of hardness.

Pliny (born A. D. 23), states that six species of adamas are known. Of these five are probably only minute flakes of gold contained in some other mineral. The last one, however, he mentions as not occurring with gold, but found in India, in the form of crystals. From his description of the crystalline forms, the specimens he had under consideration might as well have been quartz as diamond. As he was acquainted with rock-crystal, however, and describes it elsewhere, we may conclude that he meant the

diamond. Pliny had a very thorough appreciation of its hardness, and repeats the fable then current, with reference thereto. He states that an adamas laid upon a new anvil, and struck with a new hammer, will shiver both, while the gem remains intact. Only by sprinkling it with the fresh blood of a male goat, can the excessive hardness be conquered. When the adamas is thus broken, however, it is shattered into innumerable small fragments so minute, indeed, that they can scarcely be seen with the naked eye. Bishop Albertus Magnus, of Southern Germany, in 1260, repeats the same statement, and sententiously adds, that the blood. of the animal became far more efficacious, if he had imbibed sour wine and eaten some parsley just before being killed.

Owing to the rarity of the mineral this fable could be perpetuated for more than 1400 years, in countries far removed from those where the diamond was originally found.

After expressing his surprise that so disagreeable an animal as the goat should have so great a power over this most precious stone, Pliny states, that small splinters of diamond are set in iron holders, and used for the purposes of engraving and drilling. This shows a remarkable coincidence with the utterances of Jeremiah more than 600 years earlier.

At the time of Charles the Great (768 to 814) diamonds were highly prized as ornaments, and ever since that time they have steadily advanced in demand until the present day. During the reign of Louis XIV, in France, diamonds were much sought after, and some were brought to light that are famous for their beauty even now. Having at that time made an enormous stride in the favor of all people admiring mineral ornaments, diamonds have since then maintained their position. To-day they are a staple article in the market, and although new discoveries may somewhat affect their value, the demand is sufficiently great and constant to render them one of the most valuable among the precious stones.

Of all the countries which have furnished diamonds, India has been known as a prolific source for the longest period of time. Perhaps the most famous of all diamond fields there are the Golconda Mines. Thousands of people have found and many still do find employment there, although much of the wealth has already been exhausted. During the reign of Louis XIV, Tavernier visited the Orient to collect diamonds and precious stones for his

king. At that time (about 1680) he found 60,000 persons engaged in searching for diamonds in the mines of Ellore, in India. Next to India in importance is South America. The mines in Brazil were opened in 1727, and the best of them are situated north of the Rio Janeiro. On the Rio Jequitinhonha and Rio Pardo the most remunerative fields are found. Other placiers have yielded very good diamonds, however.

On Borneo, in the Ural Mountains, and in Australia, diamonds have been found. In the United States they have been collected at several localities, but only in comparatively isolated specimens. Diamonds have been obtained from North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and California. The notorious occurrence of these precious stones in what was termed the "Arizona diamond fields," situated in North-western Colorado, is probably still too fresh in the memory of everybody to require special mention. Diamonds were certainly found there, but, to use a popular phrase, "they had not grown there."

Recently discoveries of extensive diamond fields have been made in Africa. They are situated on and near the Orange and Vaal Rivers, and are being worked with energy. Although their discovery dates back but a comparatively short time, it appears that the existence of diamonds there was already known during the last century. According to Dr. J. W. Morton, the natives have for a long time used diamonds from this locality to drill their stones, and formerly made periodical visits to replenish their supply of material.

As is frequently the case, the present impetus in that region to mining operations was given by the accidental discovery of a diamond. It was found in the hands of some children who were playing with the pretty pebble.

Wherever diamonds are found, they occur in redeposited material. River-drift or boulder-clay may contain them. No matrix for them has been recognized with certainty as yet, although it is claimed that the Itacolumite (flexible sandstone) of Brazil contains them. This assertion is scarcely proved, however, and even if it were so, this very Itacolumite is but the product of re-deposition. It may be regarded as a significant fact, perhaps, that the localities of North Carolina and Georgia, where diamonds have been found, are not far removed from occurrences of flexible sandstone. In the South African diamond fields the gems are con

tained in a conglomeritic mass. It is composed mainly of volcanic. material, but has evidently been deposited by water. In its general, physical character it may be compared to the "blue cement" of California, which is auriferous.

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Of all these localities mentioned, India has produced by far the greatest number of celebrated diamonds. The largest diamond of which we have any knowledge, is mentioned by Tavernier. It was found in 1550, was in the possession of the Great Mogul at the time of Taverniers visit, and weighed 900 carats (1 Parisian carat 205.5mgr.). The present "Great Mogul" weighs 279 carats, and may be a portion of the original one. Ko-hi-noor.-Tavernier gives the weight of the original Ko-hinoor ("mountain of light ") as being 7871⁄2 carats, but other reports place it a little higher. Weighing 1862 carats it came into the possession of the British crown, but was considerably reduced by cutting. Lately it has been recut, from rosette form to that of a brilliant, and now weighs only 106 carats.

Orloff. The Orloff, weighing 19434 carats, is in the possession of the Russian crown. It was purchased by Katharine II, for 450,000 silver roubles and 4000 roubles annuity. This diamond is cut in rosette-form.

The Persian.-In 1832 a diamond was found in the hut of a Persian peasant, by a traveler. It was there utilized for the purpose of striking fire. He purchased the stone and sold it at a high price. The weight of the "Persian" is 130 carats.

In connection with these three diamonds a very interesting observation was made by Mr. Tennant. The Ko-hi-noor, in its first cut, showed two natural planes of cleavage, the Orloff still shows one, and the Persian one. By reproducing as nearly as possible the original shapes of these diamonds, it was found that they probably are three fragments of one very large one. The aggregate weight would be 5104 carats. It is quite possible, therefore, that these three formed the original Ko-hi-noor, the pride of Eastern nations. Tavernier mentions the fact that it had been cut down from its original size, which might account for the difference in weight. Few, if any gems have so prominent a position in legendary history as the original Ko-hi-noor. More than 5000 years ago the East Indian hero Kama, is said to have worn it in the "great war" (Maha Bharata). The discovery of the Persian led to the above results, as it was, to a certain extent, the incentive to the comparison.