King Solomon’s Mines: The Legendary Mines and its Significance to the Diamond Trade

The legend of the long lost treasure of the famed King of Israel is one that has fascinated many. King Solomon, considered as one of the richest men in history, with a fortune that in present estimates, surpasses 2 Trillion dollars. His mass wealth, from its origins to its ultimate fate, have fascinated historians and archaeologists and fortune seekers. Whilst hopes of finding the vast wealth, at least in one piece, has diminished over the centuries. King Solomon’s mines as a legend, as a story of success and blessing, continues to fascinate. Today diamond jewellery is the key selling point for any major jeweller, and notably the popularity of diamond engagement rings. The fascination with these precious stones has a long and interesting, and sometimes unpleasant history. The Story of King Solomon’s Mines and its legacy may help us understand this better.

The History of the Diamond Mines

The legend of King Solomon’s mines comes from the famed Biblical tale of the ancient Israelite King and his conversation with God. Upon his request for wisdom during a visit by the God of Israel, the young king asks for wisdom. For his noble request, God grants the king everything that he did not ask for including great wealth. Of course, the wealth that the king and his kingdom were blessed with, did not last. Owing to moral and political failures on his part and his descendants, the wealth of King Solomon, and that of Israel will decline and eventually be lost. The political break of Israel, and later its destruction following invasion by foreign powers, meant that its great wealth and much of its heritage was lost. However, the great wealth of King Solomon, and those of ancient kingdoms, and what their discovery could entail, have continued to fascinate later generations.

During his reign, the King of Israel is known to have developed strong connections with kings and rulers of Africa. The visit by the Queen of Sheba, believed to be from Ethiopia, seems to indicate that the relationships were strong with the region, from trade to diplomacy. Including the trade in precious stones. One of these may have been the lost diamond mines of the famed Israelite king.

The Story of King Solomon’s Mines

In 1885 a novel by H. Rider Haggard, the Victorian writer from England was published. Titled, King Solomon’s Mines, it was marked as one of the first African adventure stories. That follows the adventures of English explorers, with a Dane and locals, who set out in a quest to find the legendary King Solomon’s mines. The diamond mines believe to hold the vast diamond wealth of the ancient king, built up during his reign, via his relationship with the rulers of Africa. The story follows the exploits of explorers Allan Quaterman and Sir Henry Curtis, and a mysterious friend, Umbopa. On an expedition deep into the heart of Africa. The expedition is two-fold. One: to find Curtis’s brother, George Neville. Two: the search for the mysterious region called Kukuanaland, which is believed to hold the long lost treasure mines of King Solomon.

Their story is one of adventure, trails, war, treachery, friendship and success. Their journey through inhospitable terrain and hardships they endure is similar to the challenges endured by those who seek after precious stones today. Having survived the tribal war, on the victorious side, the men proceed to find the lost mines of Solomon, where new challenges and adventures arise.

For the modern reader, some of the themes and experiences that are explored in this book may not be the ‘current’. The idea of European explorers venturing into the Dark Continent, in search of adventure and treasure, with one of the protagonists being a professional elephant hunter, who along with their comrades, typifies the mindset of European colonialism. With subjects of tribal war, superstition, the play on the ignorance of the natives, to the central theme of the book: the pursuit of treasure in a foreign land, may well make many contemporary readers uncomfortable. However, that was the social character of the times.

_{José Silvestre's map leading to the Kukuanaland}

In the hundred-plus years, since the book was published the world has changed. However, its story is a reflection of the culture, politics and the mindset of the people of those times. When exploration, colonialism, war and conquest of the land were integral parts of the Western mind. The question for the reader is likely to be, what does this story tell us about the world today? Specifically, the world of the diamond trade, and the nature of the industry that has arisen over the years.

Great Britain and the Diamond Trade

The diamond trade today is dominated by a handful of major multinational companies. Many of them are based in or work in close relationship with the United Kingdom. With its capital London, being the central hub for the diamond trade. If one runs through a list of the top diamond mining companies in the world, one would soon notice that almost all of them have an Anglo-European connection. With major diamond miners in countries like Canada, owe their success to the historical connection to the Mother Country. Whilst the list of top diamond companies now often features the Russian diamond mining group: ALROSA. Which has come to dominate the mining trade, partly owing to the great emphasis placed on mining and natural resources by the Russian State.

However a key, and possibly central player in the history diamond mining has to be the famed British mining Group De Beers. Whilst there have been a number of major companies and ventures over the decades, and more that affected the shape of the mining and jewellery industry. However, none are arguably as influential as the Anglo-American controlled company. To understand its significance a short foray into its history is needed.

Cecil Rhodes, an Englishman. The son of a Friar, and a strong believer in the cause of the British Empire. Having been sent to the Southern Africa, to the Natal colony, he would soon work and rise in charge of the Kimberly diamond fields in Cape Colony. With the aid of local workers, the supply from the mines grew rapidly and in a few years, thanks to astute planning, and by working with the financial backers in London, Rhodes was able to consolidate his position in the, at the time, still developing precious stone industry. He strengthened his position by buying up local diamond fields. Notable here is his purchase of diamond field owned by two brothers: “de Beer”. Becoming the name of his mining company. Further consolidation in the industry followed, due to infrastructure requirements.

Whilst diamond mining was his main occupation, Rhodes as also an imperialist. Who used his great wealth to expand Britain’s colonial influence in Africa. Founding the British South Africa Company: which would establish British colonies in unconquered parts of Africa. Leading to the establishment of Northern and Southern Rhodesia. Named after himself. (Following the end of European colonialism in Africa, these would become Zambia and Zimbabwe). The dominance of his diamond company, combined with the global dominance of the British Empire, which controlled diamond mines from Canada, Australia, India to many parts of Africa, solidified its role in the diamond trade.

Diamond Mines: Monopolies and Market Value

A critical shift in the diamond trade took place in 1888-1889 when the De Beers Consolidated Mines, was established. This allowed him, with support from London, to establish various trading arms around the world, with which to control supply, demand, and hence prices of diamonds. Around the same time, De Beers merged with another major diamond company: Randlord (businessman who controlled diamond and mining operations in South Africa) Barney Barnato, Barnato Diamond Mining Company. Following its establishment, De Beers would go onto become a major force in shaping the trajectory of the diamond industry, with near-monopoly control of the South African diamond market. At the time of Rhodes passing in 1902, De Beers controlled over 90 per cent of the world’s diamond market.

_{Diamond Necklaces Featuring Brilliant Cut Round Diamonds}

A key player who would enter the diamond mining industry, whose efforts would shift the direction of the diamond trade dramatically, was Ernst Oppenheimer. Born in 1880, the German, son of a cigar merchant. Having worked for a few years in diamond brokerage in London, he was sent to South Africa. Where he would go on to found one of the most important companies in the diamond and resource trade: The Anglo-American Corporation. In the meantime, Oppenheimer rose to the prominence within De Beers board. Under his leadership, De Beers through tough business practices would buy diamonds via subsidiaries. Whilst the parent company would decide the number of diamonds to sell, and at what price, for a given period. Such, and other carefully planned practices, would help strengthen its dominant position.

In the 1930s, the worldwide diamond market was in decline. Owing to the rise in (but still managed) supply of diamonds, combined with the period following the Great Depression. The Oppenheimer shifted their focus strongly to the American market. To push American, and world consumers to choose diamonds, they partnered with the American advertising agency: N. W. Ayer & Son. Believed to be one of America’s first advertising agencies, who together developed and promoted the famous slogan: ‘Diamonds are Forever’. The connection between love and the possession of this precious stone was marketed strongly to the American consumer. With the post-war recovery afoot, De Beers was able to increase its dominance of the diamond market in the U.S. Which was the world’s biggest.

Other ventures would follow in Asia (Japan), the Soviet Union. In the latter case involved the wholesale purchase of its diamond mines by De Beers. Along with greater access to new diamond mines in Africa. Notable here is De Beers foray into Botswana, with the establishment of a partnership with the State. That is a story for another time. Whilst things have changed in the world of diamond supply, with new competitors emerging. But the role of De Beers, and Great Britain, in coming to dominate the diamond trade, and its relationship to the adventurous character of European explorers, like those who went in search of King Solomon’s Mines is best remembered.