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. 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. Check out this site providing facts and information about history of diamonds. I have, and can provide, the titles of numerous related books but they deal mostly with sierra leone and angola.
A history of south african capitalism in national and global. The story of diamonds has often been told, and with good reason. A history of south african capitalism in national and global perspective worldwide as a racist pariah state. According to ian balfours description of the event, in his 1968 book. 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. 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. Several previously wartorn nations, such as sierra leone and liberia, are finally. 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 boer wars, cecil rhodes and paul kruger. 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. 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. This famous diamond is white in color and before it was cut, the original cullinan diamond size was 621. After a flurry of press reports, the book, now in its fifth edition, became a best. There is much to know about the history of diamonds in south africa. 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.
One is the gemstone segment, encompassing diamond rings, necklaces, stones, and other precious jewelery. 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. Also known as the star of africa, the cullinan diamond started out as a 3,106. 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. Mar 26, 2015 in 2011, the first edition of 500 books in portugal was mysteriously bought out as soon as it hit the stores. 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. This article was most recently revised and updated by amy tikkanen, corrections manager. It was also in this area that the eureka diamond was found. This symbolic meaning lends itself well to the diamonds historic commemoration of eternal love.
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. However, when it comes to polished diamonds, the great star of africa 530. 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 diamond sighting was believed to have occurred in india around 2500bc as alluvial deposits along the penner, krishna and godavari rivers. Jun 24, 2014 todd cleveland is an assistant professor of history at the university of arkansas. One of the biggest diamonds in history found in southern africa. Books on the 19th century south african diamond industry. Todays diamond market is also divided into two main segments. The cullinan diamond was the largest gemquality rough diamond ever found, weighing 3,106. 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. 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. Star of south africa, first large diamond found in south africa. This marked the start of a new chapter in the history of diamonds.
Jan 15, 2018 one of the biggest diamonds in history found in southern africa 15 january 2018 11. 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. 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. The history of the diamond is a long and magical one, starting from ancient greeks and egyptians and ending on your ring finger. For example, roughly 10 million people worldwide are supported by the diamond industry. The angolan clan is a thrilling read from start to finish. Great star of africa, also called cullinan i, the largest 530. A 3106carat diamond is discovered in south africa and christened the cullinan. 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. Todd cleveland is an assistant professor of history at the university of arkansas.
The civil unrest in west africa has lead to the illegal trade of diamonds to finance wars the infamous blood diamonds. It was named after thomas cullinan, the mines chairman. Diamonds international introduces film about namibia, the. The star of south africa, also known as the dudley diamond, is a 47. 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. The star of south africa is a pear diamond weighing 47. 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.
Last year, the washington post ran an article saying that thrillers set in africa are hot. Diamond is the most valuable, not only of precious stones, but of all things in this world. The diamond is more than just aesthetically beautifulits an enduring symbol of love, romance, and commitment. Diamonds have a long history as beautiful objects of desire. The cullinan diamond was the largest gemquality rough diamond ever found, weighing. Some of the most famous diamonds in the world include. It weighed about 84 carats in rough form and was cut to about 48 carats. The diamond mines of south africa i gardner williams farlang. 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. Matthew hart, former mining editor of the rapaport diamond report, opens diamond. What an enlightenment and education this book has been.
In 2011, the first edition of 500 books in portugal was mysteriously bought out as soon as it hit the stores. It was on this historical day that he discovered the worlds biggest diamond. Diamonds were formed over 3 billion years ago, deep within the earths crust. One of the biggest diamonds in history found in southern africa 15 january 2018 11. Star of south africa, also called the dudley diamond, first large diamond found in south africa. In the first century ad, the roman naturalist pliny stated. This reading list was compiled to give you an opportunity to learn more about the history of diamond fields of south 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. In april 1905, it was put on sale in london, but despite considerable interest, it was still unsold after two years. 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. History of diamond mines in south africa diamonds were first discovered in cape colony in the year 1867.
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. Find out about the interesting subject of history of diamonds. Business, politics and precious stones in south africa, 18671947. Kolmanskop ghost town and the namibian diamonds history. 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. 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. 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. Impossible by loretta chase, as you desire by connie brockway, a spear of summer grass by deanna raybourn, trade wind by. South africas relationship to the rest of africa has been ambiguous. The cullinan diamond is the largest uncut diamond ever discovered. Namdia the official history of diamonds in namibia. The stones name is derived from the greek word adamas, which translates to unconquerable.
There have been a slew of them recently, including my own, the afrika reich henry holt, 20, which was an actionpacked romp set in an africa conquered by the nazis. And other investigations of the diamond trade and the rise and fall of diamonds. In 1866, diamonds were discovered in kimberley, south africa, sparking. 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. I cut and pasted these from a bibliography for a paper i wrote on conflict diamonds and the diamond trade in general. Fascinating facts and info about history of diamonds. 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. 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. African diamond mines are located in south africa, namibia, botswana, the democratic republic of congo, angola, tanzania and sierra leone. The cullinan diamond price is estimated at more than two billion us dollars. With a scholars precision and a novelists eye, he recounts the rise of wild frontier towns like new rush now kimberley and johannesburg. A diamond has to go through a lot before it reaches the jewelers display case. Sir thomas cullinan at premier mine, south africa in 1905.
Similar in approach, this book explores the history of south africa in a way that reminds one of jared diamonds guns, germs and steel. 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. In april 1905, it was put on sale in london, but despite considerable interest, it was still. The woman shaking up the diamond industry the new yorker. You now know the history of diamonds in general, but some diamonds are so famous they have their own unique history. But throughout history, the diamond has been associated with everything from magic, to power, to protection.