Elusive Treasure

Diamonds are rare jewels. They have only been found in a few isolated locations, scattered among the oldest parts of the continents. For thousands of years the only source known to man was one remote area in India, where diamonds were first appreciated for their capacity to disperse light.

New but modest discoveries were made in Borneo in the 7th century and in Brazil in the 18th century. Despite its insignificant size, the Brazilian finding was so coveted that the ruling Portuguese marked the occasion with great rejoicing. Festivals and processions were staged in Lisbon, special masses said, and messages of congratulations sent by the Pope and European monarchs.

More celebration came in 1866 when, at last, a truly significant source of diamonds was discovered in South Africa. Strangely, it owed nothing to the art of energy of the world’s eager prospectors. A farmer’s child was playing with some brightly coloured stones found beside a river, one of which was recognised as a diamond. The gem cut from it was appropriately named Eureka and marked the start of a remarkable new chapter in the story of diamonds.

Today, despite modern methods, diamonds are still difficult to find. Geologists search relentlessly for nature’s most precious bounty and usually in very remote and inhospitable places – from the frozen tundra of Siberia and Canada to the parched deserts and ocean floors of Africa. When there is a discovery, there is still much work to be done, as enough earth to fill a house must be sifted to find a single diamond.

Such is the desire for this most elusive treasure.