A DIAMOND SMASHER.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 165, 3 May 1872, Page 3

A DIAMOND SMASHER.

The following piece of " sharp "practice we clip from the " Capetown Mail " of a recent date :—" There is on the diamond fields a Mr McCarthy, who at one time was a proficient at the'hammer and anvil, who seems to be a knowing one as regards diamonds. ,It is reported of him that he had a ; large diamond with a speck in the centre. He offered it to a diamond merchant,- who would give but a very small sum compared with its estimated value, viz., L 43. M'Carthy refused, to sell. A. few. days after, be appeared before the merchant and offered a number of small stones, for which be obtained a larger sum than was offered for the 1 large stone. M'Carthy asked if he would not' make/ some advance for the large stone previously offered. The merchantTefiised. "Why,", says M'Carthy, "You have purchased it." " I am sure I have not," replied the merchant, " for I have, not bought a large diamoud for sometime." " You bought that, though," replied the other, " for I took-it home on leaving your oflice, put it into a pestal.and morter, broke it up, took the speck from it, and have just sold the pieces to you at an advance." Both parties were, however, satisfied. It is also reported of him that he had a large diamond, rather flat; with double edges, having a speck in the centre He took a cold steel chisel, put it between the two edges, and split the diamond, removing the obnoxious spot, and selling one.half of the gem for a larger amount than he had previously been offered for the whole."