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De Beers Consolidated Mines
(African Countries)
World's largest
producer and distributor of diamonds. Diamonds were
first discovered in southern Africa in the mid 1860s on
the de Beer farm. The urban centre that resulted is now
known as Kimberley. Two diamond mines dug there (no
longer in operation) were at one time the world's most
productive. Cecil Rhodes bought a claim to the De Beers
mine in 1871, and eventually bought claims to most of
southern Africa's diamond mines. To keep prices high and
demand steady, he formed the London Diamond Syndicate in
the 1890s as a means of limiting the supply of diamonds
reaching the market. Renamed the Central Selling
Organization (CSO), it came to control nearly 80% of the
world diamond trade by the late 1980s. Dwindling demand
caused the CSO to be replaced by the Diamond Trading
Company (DTC) in 2000. It was among the first companies
in South Africa to sponsor drug treatments for its
workers infected with HIV.
De Beers also has interests in
synthetic diamonds, minerals and ores, and in mining production and
processing equipment. Through its large market share and its willingness
to work with competitors, De Beers has continued to influence the price
and availability of diamonds worldwide, prompting accusations that it
has engaged in unfair trading practices. A controlling interest in the
company is held by Anglo American PLC.
De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd The
group is involved in the mining and marketing of gem and industrial
diamonds. de Beers controls the world diamond trade through the London
based Central Selling Organisation. The company has interests in 18
African diamond mines, while its Central Selling Organization unit (the
"diamond cartel") controls 70% of the world's diamond production. The
company has invested in nondiamond enterprises such as gold and copper
mining and industrial and financial firms. De Beers Consolidated Mines
-- along with De Beers Centenary, which oversees the company's interests
outside South Africa -- is controlled by South African mining giant
Anglo American Corp. and its ruling Oppenheimer family. De Beers
was founded in South Africa in 1888 and today comprises rough diamond
exploration, mining and trading companies. The various companies within
the De Beers “family of companies" are responsible for around 40% of
world diamond production by value and has presence in 25 countries due
to its exploration activities.
The major De Beers diamond mines are located in
Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania.
Botswana:
Debswana Mining company, a 50-50 joint venture with
the government of Botswana.
Namibia:
Namdeb mining company, a 50-50 joint venture with
the government of Namibia.
Tanzania:
Mining is 75% owned De Beers and 25% by the local
government.
South Africa:
De Beers Consolidated Mines in partnership with
Ponahalo Investments.
The sales and marketing arm of De Beers is a company
called the Diamond Trading Company (the DTC). This
company sells almost half of the world’s rough
diamonds by value. Other diamonds sold through the
DTC include those purchased from the Russian diamond
mining company Alrosa.
Read more...(External Link)
Read about all Famous Diamond Mines
The 1867 discovery of diamonds in
the Cape Colony, now a province in South Africa, radically
modified not only the world's supply of diamonds but also
its conception of them. As annual world diamond production
increased more than tenfold in the following 10 years, a
once extremely rare material became more accessible to
Western society with its growing wealth, science learned
that diamonds came from volcanoes, and everyone learned of
Cecil John Rhodes, Barney Barnato, Kimberley, and De Beers.
Today South Africa maintains its position as a major diamond
producer although diamond mining started in India around the
14th century and continued ...
Read more...
Wolrd's Famous Diamonds
The story of the Agra Diamond begins
in 1526 when Babur, the first Mogul
emperor (1483-1530) took possession
of Agra after defeating the Rajah of
Gwailor in battle. Babur was the son
of Omar Sheik, King of Ferghana (now
Turkestan),...
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World's Largest Diamonds
The largest faceted diamond in the world is the Golden
Jubilee, weighing 545.67 carats. It is a Fancy Brownish-Yellow color and
"fire rose cushion cut." It is unusual also because it has a certain
type of rare color banding. The second largest faceted diamond in the
world is the Star of Africa, also known as the Cullinan I. It weighs
530.20 carats and is a pear shape with 74 facets. The third largest
diamond in the world is the Incomparable. It is a golden yellow-orange
color, pear shaped, and weighs 407 carats. The fourth largest faceted
diamond in the world is the Cullinan II. It was cut from the same stone
as the Star of Africa - aka Cullinan I. It weighs 317.40 carats and is a
cushion cut...
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Renowned Diamond Cutting Centers
Diamonds being easily transportable and
being of high value allows them to be
moved to the most efficient and economic
locations for further processing. The
several factors that are considered in
determining the location of a diamond
cutting facility...
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Diamonds in Literature and Poetry
Diamonds have taken an important space in our ideas and
dreams of celebration, enjoyment, expression of love and
happiness. There are famous and popular quotes about or
referencing diamonds. Some that you may have heard or
read and other that you may not have. Read and
enjoy......
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The Diamond Cartel
For more than 100 years, the name De Beers has evoked
all glamour and mystery radiated by a diamond. Through
shrewd marketing and careful manipulation of the market,
the South African company. Learn about the over 100
years of the Oppenheimer family's grip over diamond
trade of the entire world.....
Read more..
History of Diamonds
The history of diamonds. Before the Medieval era Diamonds were worn
rough, or cut and polished only on their upper surfaces. It was in this
form that diamonds used to ornament temples, goblets, reliquaries, and
crowns. The history of cutting Diamonds dates back to the beginning of
the 1400's in Paris. Diamonds became popular in jewelry and from this
time the history of diamonds accelerated and many famous diamonds were
cut. Read on the history timeline of diamonds details important dates
relating to famous diamonds and the history of diamonds....
Read more...
Read about Diamond History, Diamond Facts..
A symbol of innocence, justice,
faith and strength, the diamond was believed to make its wearers
courageous and victorious over their enemies. When set in gold and worn
on the left side, it held the power to drive away nightmares and soothe
savage beasts. Diamonds were even thought to be so powerful that they
could stop lechery. Diamonds have lured and fascinated us....
Back to Diamond
Information Summary...
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De Beers Consolidated Diamond Mines
