Diamond Mine Collection

The Big Hole, part of Kimberley diamond mine which yielded 2722 kg of diamonds, Northern Cape, South Africa, Africa

Diamond Mine, Kimberley, c1900. Creator: Will B. Robinson
Diamond Mine, Kimberley, c1900. South Africa. Illustration from a photograph. From "Cassell's History of England, Vol. IX"

'Le champ diamantifere de Kolmanskop; Afrique Australe, 1914. Creator: Unknown
'Le champ diamantifere de Kolmanskop; Afrique Australe, 1914. From "Grande Geographie Bong Illustree", 1914

'Le puits le plus important des gites diamantiferes de Kimberley; Afrique Australe, 1914. Creator: Unknown
'Le puits le plus important des gites diamantiferes de Kimberley; Afrique Australe, 1914. From "Grande Geographie Bong Illustree", 1914

Kimberley Cave Dwellings, Bomb-Proof Shelters dug in the Diamond Mine "Tailings"(b / w photo)
1600265 Kimberley Cave Dwellings, Bomb-Proof Shelters dug in the Diamond Mine " Tailings" (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Diamond Mine at Kimberley, South Africa (engraving)
6027007 Diamond Mine at Kimberley, South Africa (engraving) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Diamond Mine at Kimberley, South Africa)

A Diamond Mine at Kimberley, Griqualand West (engraving)
965215 A Diamond Mine at Kimberley, Griqualand West (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Diamond Mine at Kimberley, Griqualand West)

Kimberley and its Diamond Mine (engraving)
663934 Kimberley and its Diamond Mine (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Kimberley and its Diamond Mine)

Diamond mines of Kimberley, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa (engraving)
5207276 Diamond mines of Kimberley, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Diamond mines of Kimberley, Cape of Good Hope)

Across the Mammoth Pits of South Africas Greatest Diamond Mine, Pretoria, Transvaal, c1930s. From " Tour of the World". [Keystone View Company, Meadville, Pa. New York, Chicago, London]

Diamond mines, Kimberley, South Africa, 1895. Creator: William Laws Caney
Diamond mines, Kimberley, South Africa, 1895. African miners extracting rock at Kimberley in what was then Cape Colony. Diamonds were discovered on the banks of the nearby Orange River in 1866

Kimbereley Diamond Mine: apparatus for raising the diamantiferous earth, 1896
Kimbereley Diamond Mine: apparatus for raising the diamantiferous earth. In 1887 and 1888 Cecil Rhodes amalgamated the diamond mines around Kimberley, which included De Beers

Kimberley: appearance of the diamond mine in 1880, 1896
Kimberley: appearance of the diamond mine in 1880. In 1887 and 1888 Cecil Rhodes amalgamated the diamond mines around Kimberley, which included De Beers, into Consolidated Mines

De Beers diamond mine, South Africa, c1890. From a series of lantern slides on the South African diamond and gold mines

Kimberley diamond mine, South Africa, c1890. From a series of lantern slides on the South African diamond and gold mines

Diamond field, c1880

Diamond mine, South Africa, 19th century. Artist: St de Dree
Diamond mine, South Africa, 19th century

Pontoon over the Vaal River, Klipdrift, South African diamond fields, 1874. A print from The Illustrated London News, (10 October 1875)

A diamond mine at Kimberley, Griqualand West, (Northern Cape, South Africa), c1890. An engraving from Robert Browns The Countries of the World, published by Cassell, (London & Paris, c1890)

Zulu boys working at De Beers diamond mines, Kimberley, South Africa, c1885. In 1887 and 1888 Cecil Rhodes amalgamated the diamond mines around Kimberley, which included De Beers

Basuto miners in De Beers diamond mines, Kimberley, South Africa, c1885. In 1887 and 1888 Cecil Rhodes amalgamated the diamond mines around Kimberley, which included De Beers, into Consolidated Mines

Diamond mine, Kimberley, South Africa, 1896. In 1887 and 1888 Cecil Rhodes amalgamated the diamond mines around Kimberley, which included De Beers, into Consolidated Mines. From The World of Wonders

Washing plant at De Beers diamond mines, Kimberley, South Africa, c1900. In 1887 and 1888 Cecil Rhodes amalgamated the diamond mines around Kimberley, which included De Beers, into Consolidated Mines

GAFR2A-00047
Swan Hotel in the diamond-mining region of South Africa, 1870s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century photograph

GAFR2A-00048
Prospectors working the diamond diggings near Colesberg, South Africa, 1872. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

GAFR2A-00053
Native workers descending into a diamond mine near Johannesburg, South Africa, 1890s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th century illustration

A scene in the deserted diamond-mining town of Kolmanskop, which was abandoned more than fifty years ago. The place is now a ghost town where sand from the surrounding desert has encroached into all

Scene in the Diamond Mines of Poonah

Scene in the Diamond Mines of Poonah

Diamond mine panning, artwork
Diamond mine panning, historical artwork. Workers at a diamond mine sorting through excavated gravel and soil to find diamonds

Kimberley diamond mine, artwork
Kimberley diamond mine, historical artwork. Screening facility to filter diamonds from the excavated rocks and soil at the Kimberley diamond mine in what is now South Africa

House slowly being reclaimed by the desert in the abandoned former German diamond mining town of Kolmanskop on the edge of the Namib Desert, Forbidden Diamond Area near Luderitz, Namibia, Africa

Buildings in the abandoned former German diamond mining town of Kolmanskop on the edge of the Namib Desert, Forbidden Diamond Area near Luderitz, Namibia

Africa, Namibia, Abandoned railroad tracks lead into sand dune in Forbidden Diamond Area west of Luderitz

Diamond mining, Sakha
Diamond mining in the Republic of Sakha, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

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"The Glittering Legacy: Exploring the Diamond Mines of Kimberley, South Africa" Step into the depths of history as we uncover the fascinating world of diamond mining in Kimberley, South Africa. Known as "The Big Hole, " this iconic landmark stands testament to a bygone era when dreams were forged deep within the earth's embrace. In 1888, tragedy struck at the De Beers mine, engulfing it in flames that devoured not only structures but also hopes and aspirations. The creator of this haunting image remains unknown, forever capturing a moment frozen in time. Delve further into these diamond-rich grounds and you'll discover an unexpected marvel - the Kimberley Cave Dwellings. These bomb-proof shelters were ingeniously carved within the "Tailings" of the diamond mine itself; a stark reminder of human resilience amidst nature's treasures. Engravings from yesteryears transport us back to witness firsthand how these mines shaped entire communities. From Griqualand West to Swaziland, their allure drew people from far and wide seeking fortune beneath their feet. The enigmatic landscapes depicted in these etchings tell tales untold yet beckon us with their silent allure. Journey through time and witness snapshots frozen forever on film. William Laws Caney's lens captures miners toiling away tirelessly amidst dusty terrains at Kimberley's diamond mines in 1895 – faces weathered by hardship yet filled with unwavering determination. Apparatus for raising diamantiferous earth stands as a testament to ingenuity harnessed within these mines' depths. Innovation intertwined with sheer grit propelled miners forward towards unimaginable riches hidden just beyond reach. As we peer into an engraving depicting Kimberley's appearance in 1880, our minds wander through bustling streets teeming with life – vibrant markets echoing laughter and whispers about newfound wealth mingling amongst traders' calls.