When the war broke out the diamond market fell very flat, as the Targe buyers from Russia and. Germany dropped out of the running. At the time this appeared to be a serious blow to the industry, but then the Far East came to the rescue...and_ within a very short time the market was stronger than ever. China, Japan and the Malay States all evinced a demand, and within a comparatively short time a.new outlet for diamonds had been created. So rapidly did the demand grow once it started that not only was the loss caused by the abstention of Germany and Russia wiped out, but a market of greater value created.
America had always been a big purchaser of diamonds. -and the wealth she accumulated during the war increased her demand considerably. This factor, combined with the appearance of the Far East in the market, put the diamond industry in a very strong position. Tt is no exaggeration to say. that during these few years the Far East has spent millions on these stones—an entirely new feature in the history of the diamond trade.
Tae Prevaitine Fasuton-
To show the lines on which the demand for diamonds has run it will be convenient to look at the classification of the stones. As we know, a diamond is merely carbon which has been submitted to some very great heat in a volcanic form.
the search for the diamonds yellow earth—oxidized—is first discovered and then the blue ground. three months for the action of the|change, and even with a 50 per air to soften it. Following upon a washing process it is passed over plates smeared with grease, which is the only substance that will catch a diamond. Of course, diamonds are also occasionally discovered in the Vaal river.
These stones are sent in the rough to London, and from there generally go either to Amsterdam or Antwerp to be cut and polished. It is worth mentioning that during' the war the South African Diamond Corporation started a cutting business of their own at Brighton, where disabled soldiers were employed, and these, to the number of about 800, have given good results.
Small stones, called Mélés, making anything up to 20 stones per carat, sell from about £20 to £30 per carat. Then come Yellow Capes, followed by Fine Capes (about £ Silver Capes (about! £87.10/-), Pure Whites (abet £125), and Blue Whites (about £175). These prices, of course, vary accor' to the size, lustre and purity of the stone. The value of stones lies in the fineness of their cut, the absence of flaws and carbon marks.
To-day everybody wants what_is known as the latest cut, an Amsterdam product. This is popular on account of the fact that it has 30 many facets which bring out all the fire and lustre. It is somewhat important to note this, because a great many people are under the impression that a diamond possesses the same value all the time. They, however, overlook the fact that a diamond is like ladies' millinery which changes with every whim of fashion. Stones which were in the first rank up to three years ago have not the same value as those recently cut in Amsterdam, while it has to be remembered that diamonds should be polished every two years.
Waar tae Carxese Want The demand in the East and especially among the Chinese seems to be for large stones irrespective of whether they are flawless. Flaws really do not matter, so long as the stones be large, and they are very keen on diamonds weighing 4 to 8 carats, either for solitaire rings or for earrings for presentation to ladies.
That is what usually obtains in China proper, but among the Chinese of the Malay States the demand is for the Mélés—small stones which can be used as trimming on dresses and for hair ornaments.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.