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Show THE JAGERSFONTEIN DIAMOND. Emperor William Wants the 95,000,000 Sparkler For His New Crown. I learn from London that the emperor tf Germany is eager to purchase the big diamond found at the Jagersfontein mine in July last. This monster gem turns the scales at 971 carats, and there seems good reason for believing that it is the very biggest in the world. It has teen christened the Jagersfontein "Es-celsior." "Es-celsior." Tbe Jagersfontein mine, which is situated sit-uated about 50 miles from Kimberley and within the territory of the Orange Free State republic, is owned by a company, com-pany, many of the shareholders of which reside in England and few of them on the spot. For some time they have sold the yield of diamonds by public tender in advance. The contractors for the purchase of the diamonds in Jnly were Messrs. Wernheim & Beit, and their contract expired on the very day thib famous stone was found. Had it been handed to the manager only a few hours later it would have fallen into other hands. i The "Excelsior" waa found by a native na-tive Basuto laborer named Jonas, and he could easily have secreted it, as has been done in thousands of cases, no doubt, because it happened that he was working at the time at a place where no diamonds were expected to be found. However, he promptly placed it in the hands of the manager, who did not for a considerable time realize its enormous value. The natives at the mine, as an encouragement to zeal and honesty, are allowed a small commission upon the diamonds they find, and Jonas' share was about 80. This sum to an African native is quite a small fortune, and as the bonus was supplemented by the gift of a horse, saddle and bridle the Basuto left for his home a very proud man. On the spot the diamond was valued by the official government inspector at 25,000, but when it reached Kimberley Kimber-ley a bid of 250,000 was made for it. The offer was declined, and the "Excelsior" "Ex-celsior" was shipped to Europe. It was ; a curious sight to fche parcel guarded guard-ed to the Cape Ton docks by a squad of cavalry and a detachment of police. It reached England safely, and immediately imme-diately the value went up, until now the owners decline to part with it for less than 1,000,000. It has been lodged in the Bank of England for security, and at the present time negotiations are proceeding pro-ceeding for its purchase on behalf of the German emperor, who is having a new crown constructed and has an idea apparently ap-parently that this particular gem will add luster to the diadem. He is not, however, the only bidder in the market, and it is quite uncertain what will be the gem's ultimate destination. Jewelers' Jew-elers' Circular. |