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The earliest part of the 20th century experienced a colossal rush for diamonds along Southwest Africa’s Namibian coast. Millions of carats of diamonds were recovered from Namibia’s diamond-rich desert landscape during and after the rush.
The enormous enterprise was aided by a growing trend for placing diamond engagement rings on every bride-to-be. Prior to that, diamonds were the privy of the wealthy few, and not commonly used for engagement rings. And while diamond discovery was few and far between, the monied elite depended on dwindling supplies from India and Brazil.
By Edwardian times, the concept of diamond engagement rings took a strong hold in both Europe and the United States.
Theirs for the Taking
Diamond supplies were found so abundantly during Namibia’s heyday that historians say the trove was easily accessible. Crystals were found not deep within the earth, but rather buried in those massive shifting sands of the Namib desert.
This historic period of diamond production found Namibia under German colonization. Today we understand the widespread human rights abuse of indigenous peoples during that time as well. By WWI, German diamond rights were sold to South Africans, making millionaires out of locals.
Out to Sea
By the mid-20th century, another even more spectacular diamond recovery system developed in the Namibian territory. This time it was off-shore production. The method’s foundation lay in understanding that the Orange River, traversing through South Africa out to the ocean, had been carrying untold caches of diamond rough out to the ocean beds since time immemorial.
It took a while for technology to fully exploit this theory, of course. Today, a joint venture between De Beers and the Namibian government sends diamond trawlers off the Namibian coast with soil sucking devices. Once inside the ship, the ocean bed material is scanned for diamonds. And there are plenty to be found. The crystals are harvested, and the seabeds are returned to their place in a safe and sustainable process.
These vessels, run by Debmarine Namibia operate 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Thus far, tens of millions of diamond carats have been recovered. Their license extends until 2035 to continue bringing up diamonds from below the ocean floor.
Lost and Found
Recently, more news from Namibia thrilled followers of this ancient mysterious land. Greek Reporter revealed the discovery of a long-lost Portuguese ship, The Bom Jesus, which set sail from Lisbon in 1533. Then it vanished forever.
During routine diamond mining efforts across Namibia’s arid sand, the ill-fated ship was unearthed to the astonishment of workers. Nearly intact, its booty lay undisturbed for more than 500 years.
Shipwrecks were common in that part of the world where violent weather conditions wreak havoc on the most robust sea-going vessels caught in its fierce storms. Experts tell us the ship which got caught on a rock found itself stranded and then became buried in those legendary brutal sandstorms. With coastline waters receding later on, the Bom Jesus (The Good Jesus) reemerged like a phoenix in the sand.
Then there’s Gold
Now we know what that ship was carrying after further excavations took place. Gold, and a mass so boggling, it tasks the imagination.
The other usual remnants of a sea-faring vessel lay undisturbed for all these centuries. Like a time capsule, excavators turned up compasses, astrological tools, swords, cannons, and silver coins. But the real booty was a treasure chest laden with pure gold. There were copper ingots – to the tune of tens of thousands laying intact. Then two thousand solid gold coins emerged – identifying the find as from a Portuguese ship of 1533.
Serendipitously, the area where the ship was uncovered is called Sperrgebiet, German for forbidden territory. Today it’s protected by a closely-watched mining security system. This added layer of intrigue enriches our understanding of the history of diamonds in remote corners of the globe. With each newly uncovered story of diamond’s past, our appreciation for the mysteries of our earth deepen.
The post The Story Behind the Stone: Lost and Found in Africa appeared first on Southern Jewelry News.
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