Condition of South African Diamond Mines in the Early Twentieth Century

Of the South African mines the Kimberley and DeBeers have until recently produced most of the diamonds. These mines have now been worked so deep, about three thousand feet, that, owing to the heat and danger at that depth, they are at present considered about worked out and comparatively few stones now come from these mines. The Dutoitspan mines are at present the largest producing mines in South Africa, and give very sound material, about the same as that of the Kimberley, DeBeers, and Wesselton. The Bulfontein in point of production is the second largest mine under the DeBeers control. Its rough runs rather small in sizes and is quite imperfect. From the Jagersfontein mine, commonly called Jagers (pronounced Yagus) are found some of the finest blue-white stones in the world, although there are other qualities of stones found there as well. The Premier mine, also controlled by the DeBeers Company, produces some very remarkable stones. From this mine came the famous Cullinan diamond, which weighed in the rough 3,253 3/4 carats. This stone was of fine blue-white color and remarkably free from imperfections.