Mines and Mineral Statistics. x 15 
Bending me suites of specimens illustrating the various rocks and 
minerals ot the diamond workings, aud wish them success in their 
endeavours to open up this industry, ■which I hope Avill prove to 
be a new source of wealth to New South Wales. And this result 
appears to be highly probable, since the whole of the above- 
mentioned valuable finds have been made by tlie exertions of but 
a few, perhaps not more than five or six, workers. 
Appendix. 
EEPORT ON THE DISCOVERY OF DIAMONDS AT BALD HILL, NEAR 
HILL END. 
University of Sydney, 
Ueccmbei’ 6, 1873. 
To the Hon. the Minister for Lands, — 
Sir, 
In reply to your request of the 2nd instant, I have the lionor to 
furnish you with the following particulai's relating to the mineral sj)cciint‘ns 
from BaklTIill, near Hill End, which accompanied your corninimioation. 
Diamonds — Tliree in number ; the largest of tlicm is in tlic foi’iu of a six- 
faced octahedron, rather ilattenod, owing to four of the gronp.i of faces being 
more highly developed thou the remaining four. Tlic faces and edges are 
rounded somewhat, but this has not been caused by attrition ; diamonds often 
appear as if water- worn, but in reality this is feeldom the ease ; the roIh?d and 
water-worn appearance is duo to the tact that the diamond usually crystallizes 
with curved faces and rounded edges. It is clear and colourless, and perfectly 
free from all visible internal tlaws ; the surface is likewise free from Haws ’; 
but scattered over some of the hices are a few minute and insignificant tri- 
angular markings, but these are quite, eupertlci-d and will disajjpear during 
tlie ordinan' process of cutting. It y)osscsses a specific gravity of 3’5S, and 
weighs 9 0 grains (Troy), i.e., a little over three carats. It is generally 
calculated that diamonds lose one-half their weight during the process of 
cutting and polishing ; and their true value cannot he ascertaiued until this 
has been done. ^Tho diamond next in size yjossesses the same erystallograpbic 
form as the one above mentioned, but is not so mud) compressed, lb has a 
weight of 4*5 grains (Troy), or nearly one and a half carats. It has a chip 
on one edge, and contains a speck of foreign matter. It U a straw-colour. 
The smallest diamond w’eighs about, half a grain ; it has the form of a six- 
faced tetrahedron, and possesses a high lustre, but is rather oil' colour. 
Accomyoanying the diamonds were two small specimens of gcin sand. 
Gem Sand No. 1. 
In this the following substances were found to he present : — 
I. Co 'iiiidinn — When blue this is known as the and wlien red as 
the 7'uhr/. 
fa) Cominou Corundum — Present in small fragments of bluish, greenish, 
and grey tints. 
(b) Sapphh'e — In small particles of a blue colour, some so dark as to 
appear almost black, and others very light. Some of the fragtneiits 
still show their crystalline form, viz., a hexagonal pyramid, but most 
of them do not, and arc either much rolled, subangular, or angular 
in tlicir outline. 
The ruby is absent, but probably would have been present had the sample 
of gem sand been larger. 
