English

The diamond trail : an account of travel among the little known Bahian diamond fields of Brazil

"The author, a mining engineer, while on a 'commission' into the hinterlands of Bahia describes vividly the [...] life of the inhabitants as well as furnishing remarks on the alluvial diamond deposits, the local geology, geography, methods of mining, recovery of stones, and sale of same. There is an interesting description of 'burning' diamonds to remove surface defects in Ch 11. The last fourth of the book describes gold mining. Some useful geological & mineralogical information is given in this rather stiffly-written work but most of it is travelogue."--Gemology by J. Sinkankas, entry no. 5048 (JSL5048). Partial contents: Equipping and quitting -- A glimpse into Brazilian history -- By rail and river -- Mules on the trail -- Diamonds and "palpitas" -- A diamond capital -- Marco and the passing show -- Capão Preta and Pedro Cravada -- Sunshine and storm -- Cut and run -- Burning diamonds -- From diamonds to gold -- Pioneers of modern gold mining -- Rolling plains and great forests. Partial contents: Illustrations: Travellers searching for diamonds -- Valley of Andarahy -- Washing for diamonds with the Batea -- Typical scene in diamond fields -- An old diamond working -- Map: "Sket

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