A WONDERFUL DIAMOND.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1047, 10 February 1882, Page 2

A WONDERFUL DIAMOND.

♦ . From all accounts the wonderful Koh-i-noor, or " Mountain of Light," the preperty of her Majesty, is eclipsed by a recently discovered diamond found in South Africa, and now in possession of Mr Porter-Rhodes, who is, we believe, the fortunate discover of the gem. The weigt of the newly found stone is 150 carats. It is uncut, but from its peculiarly fovorable shape is not expected to lose more than 10 carats during the process. The diamond is as big as a very large wal| nut, and is described as " like a hailstorm in sunlight, of a bewitching transparency, and a brilliant whiteness no other peecious metal can vie with." Most Cape diamonds are of an inferior yellowish tinge, which detracts from the value of the stones ; but this specimen is not only the largest ever discovered, but of a purity unsurpassed by any of its compeers. We understand that the stone was recently shown to the Prince of Wales at Marlborough House, and that his best diamonds, when placed beside the Porter-Rhodes stone were seen to be "off color." Offers for his property flew into the lucky owner from all parts of Europe. The first offer was £50,000 ? the last made was £100,000 The owner's bankers, we hear, are willing to advance £60,000 against the security. The stone will not, it is thought, change hands under £200,000 which is just £50,000 more than the famous Koh-i-noor is valued at. Mr Porter — Rhodes asks the trifling sum of £300,000, or 1,500,000d1s for his property, and does not seem in any hurry to dispose of it It is remored that a Russian Prince is in treaty for the jewel.