Journey of the Eureka Diamond

Erasmus Jacobs

While the Star of Africa is often credited with starting the diamond industry, the Eureka was actually the first authenticated diamond discovered in South Africa.  It's name originates from the Greek and literally means "I found it".  

The Eureka was found in 1866 by a 15 year old boy  named Erasmus Jacobs who took it home and gave it to his little sister as a toy.  A neighbor recognized the uniqueness and offered to buy the rock.  The child's mother gave the man the rock and the neighbor in turn took the diamond to a local trader to determine its identity.

Both men suspected it was a diamond so the trader took the diamond to the Civil Commissioner in Colesberg who suggested sending it to a mineralologist in Grahamstown.  There it was finally confirmed to be a diamond weighing about 21.25 carats.

The Eureka was sent to London where experts confirmed its identity and value.  Soon after it was cut into a 10.73 ct oval brilliant diamond.

In 1947 a diamond believed to be the Eureka was reported to be the center diamond in a bracelet sold at a Christie's auction.  In 1966 DeBeers purchased it and brought it back to South Africa where a replica is now on display at the Kimberley Mine Museum.