LONDON AS DIAMOND TRADE CENTRE

Chronicle (Levin), 4 March 1947, Page 5

LONDON AS DIAMOND TRADE CENTRE

(>Special Correspondent) .

Received Monday, 7.10 p.m. LONDON, March 3. London is now deeiared to be the eentre of the world 's diamond , trade. During the' past year over £30', 000, *000 worth of uncut diamouds were flown to Britain, most of them from Africa. In London they were sorteu and redistributed to cutter,s in all parts of the world. There is -i pr fcrence for senduig diatnonds bv air, sniail consignineiits going as ordinary ainnail and larger packages as air freiglit. Many airliners are now litted Avitii a special strongbox. Oue of the most A-aluable consignments of diamonds reach London in the past twelve aiuitihs 'was Britain's share of the wartime pool of industrial diamonds which aad Lten kept in Uanada. There were ivAelve consignments eaeh valued at £&');). (juO. There was a spwi ti- guard on duty at Heath Row to -noet ihe aireraft with the diamonds use 1 at ihe Aga Ivhan's weighing ceremoiiy. They were valued at £750,000. In addition to diamonds, Britain has important gold an.l siiver jewellery industries. Designc s , are now being souglit to aid Ihe export drive. The plan is to turn out cheap brooches, necklaces and riags nt lovely in design as those costing impressfive sums. Art scliools are sending names of ex-pupils and teachers to the reaearch centre at Goldsmith's Hail tvhere a register of designers lias been started.