South Africa’s ‘diamond rush’ stones turn out to be quartz
FR24 News
June 20, 2021
Unidentified stones that had lured thousands of fortune-seekers to a
rural South African village in the hope of finding diamonds turned out
to be quartz, officials have confirmed.
Villagers and visitors from all over South Africa had dug in KwaHlathi in eastern KwaZulu-Natal province since June 12, after a rancher first discovered the diamond-like stone in an open field.
Samples were taken to identify stones that were chased away with shovels and pickaxes by 3,000 people who officials said flocked to the site.
The as yet unidentified stones did not deter fortune seekers from flocking to the site“The tests carried out have conclusively revealed that the stones found in the region are not diamonds as some had hoped,” said Ravi Pillay, member of the provincial executive council for economic development and tourism.
He told a press conference that the stones were in fact quartz crystals, the value of which has yet to be established but “is very low compared to that of diamonds.”
Mr. Pillay warned that the event highlighted the socio-economic challenges faced by local people.
The South African economy has long suffered from extremely high unemployment, exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Pillay said the “diamond rush” had caused extensive damage, with an area of about 50 hectares covered with holes up to one meter, posing a danger to livestock.
He said those who continue to operate in the region, a situation which also risks spreading COVID-19, would be encouraged to leave, although law enforcement could be called upon if necessary.
2 comments:
Those poor people. Digging the dirt for a chance to cash in. Everyone knows the diamond market is mainly controlled by one company. I refuse to buy them.
I like colored stones better anyway.
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