Gems Untold.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 125, 31 May 1904, Page 2

Gems Untold.

STROKE OF FORTUNE IN SOUTH AFRICA. A marvellous discovery has just been made in the Hope Valley, Orange River Colony. Tho Flcksburg Syndicate has been mining in the dis trict for months past without the least result. Finally a promising Held was prospected, and here the sensational discovery was made thai precious stones were scattered ovei the ground in the richest profusion. Tho gems found include rubies, sapphires, emeralds, beryls, topazes, turquoises, amethysts, carbuncles, and small diamonds. Hundreds of pounds worth of gems were washed from 2(' cartloads of gravel, and it i,s declared -that there are millions of tons oi similar wash in sight. The farm luis been leased to the syndicate with the option ,of purchase for £2, r j,o<in. Home of the stones have' been exhibited, and are pronounced by experts to be of the highest ipinlily. The probable explanation of tin "find" is that the stones are all diamonds of various hues, as nowhere in the world ' are diamonds of many many "sports" or colours found a' in South Africa. There arc red diamonds, green diamonds, blue diamonds, and yellow diamonds. To the expert eye they aro rather similar to the stones mentioned in the telegram but in actual fact the.v arc «iuite different and more rare. If the statement proves correct flint nil these precious stones have actually been found at one and the same spot there will doubtless bu a great rush for licks-burg.