About the Stewart Diamond: Accidental Discovery in South Africa

THE STEWART.

The two Largest Diamonds of South Africa--Finding the Stewart--An Accidental Discovery--"Joy is Dangerous"--The Anxiety of Possession--Taking the Treasure Home.

Until quite recently the fame of South Africa as a diamond-field was represented by the Stewart, which has however, now a competitor in "the Porter-Rhodes," which was exhibited last year in Bond Street. Prior to this recent reward of mining enterprise at the Cape, the Stewart was not only the largest diamond hitherto found in South Africa, but was exceeded in size in the whole world by three others only-the Matan, Nizam, and Great Mogul. The subjoined account of its discovery appeared in the Port Elizabeth Telegraph of November 22, 1872:--"The claim from which this gem was taken was originally owned by a Mr. F. Pepper, by him sold to a Mr. Spalding for pound 30, and handed over by the latter to one Antoine, to work on shares. The claim was quite an outside one, and not thought much of by the owner; but as others were finding near him, he thought it was just possible he might also find a gem. He persevered until first, the 'July Diamond,' and next, after further toil, this prize rewarded his labour. Antoine's feelings when he first obtained a glimpse of the treasure may be better imagined than described. He says that he was working in the claim, when he told his boy to leave off picking in the centre, and commence at the side. Not being understood, he took a pick and began himself, when he was suddenly spellbound by the sight of a large stone, with the primary aspect of a diamond. For some minutes he could neither speak nor move for fear of dispelling the apparent illusion, but collecting his energies, he made a dart forward and clutched the prize. Even then, however, he did not feel quite safe, and it required a grand effort to reach Mr. Spalding's cart, which had to be called into requisition. For two whole days he was unable to eat anything from the intensity of his excitement."

The Stewart, like the majority of African stones, is of a light yellow tinge, and perfectly crystallised. It was consigned to Messrs. Pittar, Leverson & Co., who found that it weighed in the rough 288 3/8 carats, or nearly two ounces troy.