JONKER DIAMOND

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18597, 7 January 1935, Page 4

JONKER DIAMOND

COST OF KEEPING

£3OOO A YEAR ESTIMATE

The world's fourth largest diamond is still veiling the “extra blue-white” purity of its 720 carats in the recesses of the Diamond Corporation’s safe. Found last January on the Elandsfonfein diggings by a man named Jacobus Tonker, it was bought for the corporation bv Ernest Oppenheimor. the chairman, for £75,000, and brought to London.

It may seem surprising fliat so many months after the romantic unearthing of so great a treasure it should lie apparently neglected while costing in locked-up capital and insurance something like £3OOO a year. But an investor in uncut and flawless out si zed stones docs not count on a quick resale. He knows that be must be patient, and that even when prospective purchasers do put in an appearance, the resulting negotiations 1 aTC likely to rival those of the diplomatic world in length and intricacy.

Sir Ernest Oppenhcimer has described the .Tonker diamond as the most magnificent, he has ever seen. It is of superb quality and color, and. in size, is a third as large as the Cullinan diamond, which cut into nine big stones. and a number of small brilliants.