Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 February 1915 — FEW ARE BUYING DIAMONDS [ARTICLE]

FEW ARE BUYING DIAMONDS

War Cannot Be Said to Have Brought Prosperity to the Dealers in Precious Stones. The diamond trade in Europe is well-nigh wiped out by the war. The great diamond monopoly in South As? rica, it is said, will pass its dividends and maybe suspend business entirely. The custom of “valorizing” diamonds —holding back part of the output to keep up priceB —Jhas left the big mining company with a heavy stock on hand. . This winter, at least, many people in Europe who wear diamonds, far from wanting more, are going to find it convenient not to say necessary, to sell those they have. This will lower prices and more than satisfy the feeble demand. It would not be surprising if a goodly stock of European jewerly were to find its way to this country at bargain prices. Europe is in no mood to buy gewgaws. Cold cash looks as good to thousands of property owners as food to millions who own nothing. A diamond mine is no place to look for a job yet awhile.