Very innocently.
Back in 1867 a young man named Eramus Jacobs was helping his father on their farm. Eramus was trying to unclog a water pipe when he decided to take a break under a tree. While sitting there he noticed a rock that was just a little more shiny than the others. He proceeded to place it in his pocket and finish working with his Father.
His Mother also intrigued by the new shiny stone, took it to a neighbor to show him. Schalk van Niekerk offered to puchase the stone from her when he saw it. She said no, “You can keep it”.
After seeing a number of experts and officials van Niekerk, took the stone to a notable gemologist, Dr William Atherstone. Atherstone suspected it was a Diamond when he saw it cut glass, and proceeded with further tests. Finally declaring it a 21.25 ct brown-yellow Diamond.
The Governor of Cape Colony purchased the Diamond for roughly 500 pounds, and took it back to the U.K. with him where he had the Diamond Cut to its final size of 10.73ct.
100 yrs later, the DeBeers compnay purchased the Eureka Diamond at auction and donated it to the People of South Africa. It is now on display at the Kimberly Mine Museum.
Such innocent beginnings for a Multi-Billion Dollar Industry.
I will always be looking for sparkly stones now-honestly I am always being distracted by bits of Sparkle.
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