African diamonds: child's play turned into a bloody clash (8 photos)

It is just a crystalline modification of pure carbon. At the same time, songs, poems are dedicated to him, they are used for compliments. AND the scope of diamonds is more than wide: mechanical engineering, aviation and automotive industry, electrical engineering, medicine and Not only.





They are mined in different countries. But the discovery in Africa was the result of an exceptional set of circumstances.



Erasmus Jacobs - one of those children who discovered the first diamond, in old age

Children of a family of farmers who were immigrants from Holland and lived in the Orange Free State (South Africa), already for almost a year they kicked a shiny pebble in the dust, discovered somewhere ubiquitous child. And Jacobs drew attention to the fun of the offspring of the family another farmer, a smart and educated man. Offered to the hostess to buy pebble, but she waved it off and said that Schalk van Niekerk took nonsense just like that.



"Eureka"

Van Niekerk asked other literate acquaintances. And in finally received advice to contact Dr. Atherston. The one unmistakably identified a diamond in the stone. Subsequently, he received the name "Eureka".



"Cullinan" or "Star of Africa"

Around the same time, the Jacobs family discovered in a few more diamonds in the vicinity of the farm (now it has become known that These are not just fun toys. And one shepherd was lucky discover a real treasure - a stone of 83.5 carats, subsequently dubbed the "Star of South Africa". The ubiquitous Schalk had time here and bought from a guy found for a fabulous sum: he gave 500 sheep, 10 oxen and a horse. And then he resold the future Zvezda for 11 thousand pounds. people to that time was already disturbing from the possibility of quick profit. Around the farm Jacobs searchers swarm from all over the world. For a couple of months the territory a rather large farm and the surrounding area dug up and down.

Spontaneous tent city arose on the banks of the Orange River diggers. The most cruel laws reigned in it - whoever is stronger is right. The authorities tried to influence, but to no avail.



diamond mining

In addition, a fair share of diggers was represented the English. They quickly complained to the queen about the alleged harassment. AND the crown declared the coasts of two rivers - the Orange and the Vaal possessions, sensing profit. The local population - the Boers - are just the same The settlers did not want to put up with it. Thus broke out the Anglo-Boer war.

But it all started quite innocently, just with a thirst easy and quick money that lovers of profit counted in their minds, staring at advertising posters for burgeoning diamond mining companies, in dire need of cheap labor.



Diamond quarry in Kimberley

But the path to happiness, lined with shining diamonds, is often turned into a road to death, covered in blood. However, enthusiasts surrendered: dug, dug, washed. Earned a fortune day and easily squandered them for the evening playing cards.

And what happened next, you can’t call it anything other than a miracle. One of such seekers, whom the brothers in arms pretty much nibbled the day before, woke up in the morning and began to think about where to get money so that recoup. In the meantime, he lazily poked at the clay wall with his toe. hut in which he spent the night. And suddenly out of the hole just as lazily rolled out diamond. The hops were blown away by the wind. The man started picking the walls and the floor with his hands. They were stuffed with diamonds.



kimberley

The people of Kimberley Township went crazy that day. They With excitedly dismantled their fragile houses. Many have found diamonds. The whole district was already in a fever. The wave of madness did not bypass the same the farm that started it all. House, barn, barn - to the ground tore everything apart. The adobe bricks from which the walls were built turned out to be stuffed with diamonds like raisin cupcakes.

It was not only the searchers and farmers of the Orange states, but also the authorities of other countries, who saw the opportunity to clean up the hands of the diamond-rich lands of the African continent. The British were ahead competitors and won. The Boers were defeated. Their lands annexed by Britain, and after the discovery of alsmear potential over The British flag was raised by the Orange Free State.



It all started so innocently - with children's fun, which an attentive adult turned an inquisitive look. But don't match then just a few factors, things could have turned out differently.