Today in Kimberley's History
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Star of South Africa diamond discovered on the banks of the Orange River near Hopetown - 1869
The Star of South Africa, also called the Dudley diamond, was the second major diamond find in South Africa. It was discovered on 6th November 1869 on the banks of the Orange River near Hopetown by an African shepherd boy. He traded it to a Boer settler for 500 sheep, 10 oxen, and a horse.
It was a large diamond, weighing about 84 carats in rough form and was cut to about 48 carats. When news of its huge size reached Europe, it set off the South African diamond rush. Called the Dudley diamond after the earl of Dudley, who purchased it, it should not be confused with the much larger Star of Africa, cut from the Cullinan diamond. Read more about the heyday of diamond mining by clicking here.
The Star of South Africa, also called the Dudley diamond, was the second major diamond find in South Africa. It was discovered on 6th November 1869 on the banks of the Orange River near Hopetown by an African shepherd boy. He traded it to a Boer settler for 500 sheep, 10 oxen, and a horse.
It was a large diamond, weighing about 84 carats in rough form and was cut to about 48 carats. When news of its huge size reached Europe, it set off the South African diamond rush. Called the Dudley diamond after the earl of Dudley, who purchased it, it should not be confused with the much larger Star of Africa, cut from the Cullinan diamond. Read more about the heyday of diamond mining by clicking here.
22 days since beginning of the Siege of Kimberley, 1899
Extract from "The Diary of a Doctor's Wife – During the Siege of Kimberley October 1899 to February 1900" by Winifred Heberden.
The first bombardment began punctually at 6 p.m. when a few shells fell short of Wesselton.
Extract from "The Diary of a Doctor's Wife – During the Siege of Kimberley October 1899 to February 1900" by Winifred Heberden.
The first bombardment began punctually at 6 p.m. when a few shells fell short of Wesselton.