Cecil Rhodes (Cecil John Rhodes) was born on July 5th, 1853 in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, England where his father was a clergyman. The fifth son amongst a family of nine children he was afforded a grammar school education until he was diagnosed with a tubercular lung condition at age sixteen and doctors advised his parents to send him out to South Africa so as to benefit from the country's drier climate.

 In 1870 Rhodes sailed off to southern Africa where he joined his eldest brother Herbert, who was trying his hand at farming in the coastal region of Natal. In the same year, diamonds  which had unexpectedly been discovered for the first time in southern Africa two years before  were suddenly being found in staggering quantities in the inland area now known as Kimberley. When Cecil arrived in Durban in September he found that Herbert had already departed for the diamond area. When Herbert returned to where Cecil was lodging with friends he related that he had had only a very little success diamond hunting.

 In March 1871 Herbert left again for the diamond fields while Cecil remained farming expecting to earn a return sufficient to meet the cost of a university education.

He was not successful doing so and went back to Africa and its diamonds.



Eventually Rhodes proved to be an astute businessman.

He envisioned the approach the diamond industry should pursue in South Africa. He joined forces with another English entrepreneur, Charles Rudd, to gain control of both mines and merge them, forming De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited in 1888. The discovery of diamonds in South Africa brought a new dimension to the worldwide diamond trade - and created a new challenge in selling the output, which greatly exceeded anything generated before.

 

De Beers has become the world leader in producing and marketing diamonds worldwide on the wholesale level, and even today there are very few alternate wholesale supply sources.

Some alternatives are: Canadian diamonds and Russian diamonds.

A Girl's best Friend

 

Unique vintage Burmese ruby and diamond brooches acquired by Maurice Goldman Estate Jewelry. (PRWEB) December 3, 2004 -- Maurice Goldman Fine Jewelry & Estate Jewelry http://www.mauricegoldman.com/ has acquired a signed Van Cleef & Arpels brooch from the 1930s and a signed Julius Cohen brooch from the 1940s. Although both brooches are composed of a combination of Burmese rubies and diamonds set in a botanical theme, each designer exhibits a unique style. The Van Cleef & Arpels brooch displays a stunning array of the original vivid red faceted Burmese rubies and white diamonds set in Paris by this firm. The vibrant gems are set in a 35 mm round platinum pin to form a flower motif, in this mint condition period piece. Oval and pear-shaped rubies with 5 carat total weight, and baguette and round-cut diamonds, with 5 carat total weight, fall into concentric circles with a slight rise in height toward the center. Crafters for the rich and famous, the Parisian firm of Van Cleef & Arpels concentrated in platinum, diamond and colored stone pieces. Works from the 1930s are characterized by jewels in primary colors designed in a geometrical pattern, with a streamlined style. Also composed of rubies and diamonds, the signed Julius Cohen brooch represents an entirely different look. In this 1940s brooch, smooth cabochon Burmese rubies and diamonds are embedded in 18K yellow gold to form an exquisite free-form flower-like arrangement. Julius Cohen, a New York-based designer, worked for the firm of Harry Winston before opening his own company. His first designs were entered in diamond promotion contests sponsored by De Beers. ''We are particularly delighted with the acquisition of these two designer gemstone brooches in time for the holiday season. Brooches are a very "now" accessory, and the signed brooches, with increasingly rare Burmese rubies, are also instant heirlooms'', comments Judith Isaacson, VP, Internet Division & Style Editor, Maurice Goldman Jewelry Online. Maurice Goldman Fine Jewelry & Estate Jewelry displays hundreds of fine jewelry items in its online store http://www.mauricegoldman.com/ With over 300 precious gemstone and cultured pearl jewelry items offered, including art deco vintage brooches and pins, signed designer pieces, and vintage fine jewelry from the 1940s and 1950s, the online catalog is an eclectic mix of exotic and unique luxury bijoux. About Maurice Goldman & Sons, Inc. Under the present-day direction of CEO and president, Hector Goldman, this privately-held company was founded in 1910 in Antwerp, Belgium, and London, UK, by Maurice Goldman. Members of The Jewelers Board of Trade, and New York Diamond Dealers Club. Contact person: Judith Isaacson

Interesting reading:                                          Countries producing Diamonds:

The Eustache Diamonds Acres of Diamonds Jewel Life The 7 stars Jewel City The Knave of Diamonds Paste Jewels The Field of Diamonds

Angola Australia South Africa Congo Republic (Zaire): Botswana Namibia Ghana Central African Republic Guinea Sierra Leone Zimbabwe Brazil Venezuela India Russia Canada Usa

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