A fascinating tale uncovered by our intrepid researchers, Denise Townsend and Timony Schaeffer.
August 11 – Melbourne Argus 1869
A telegram from Sydney makes an announcement which, if true, or only approximately correct, would be calculated to create immense excitement among the searches for gem stones. According to this statement about the accuracy of which we must confess to entertaining very great doubts, there has been found in a creek on Perry’s Station, in the neighbourhood of Armidale, a diamond weighing 7oz, 18dwt. The stone, it is added is on its way to Sydney under police escort and is expected to arrive in that city to day.
Latest Telegrams, Sydney, August 11, 1869
The Armidale diamond has reached Sydney, and has been entrusted to the Rev. Mr Clarke for examination
Melbourne Herald August, 1869
Some ten or twelve days ago an old man, who has been engaged as a tutor on a station near Bendemeer came into Tamworth, and immediately on his arrival asked where the bank was situated. He was told, but it being somewhat early, and that institution not yet open, he walked about the hotel where he was staying in a state of trepidation, and it ultimately transpired that he had with him an enormous diamond – supposed to be the largest in the world
We were permitted to inspect the diamond yesterday and we give a description as near as we can. It is about the size and shape of a duck egg, a little larger at one end than the other and measures 6 7/8 inches by 6 inches in circumference, and weighs 6oz 12dwt 13gr troy. It has somewhat the appearance of crystallised quartz ……We offer no opinion on the nature or the quality of the stone.
No report has yet been published as to the real value of the Armidale diamond. It is at present detained at the mint until the escort charges on the amount of its supposed value are paid. The ASN Company also claim a large percentage for freight from Newcastle.
In the meantime we have been informed by a gentleman, just arrived from Sydney that for some years past the finder of this precious stone has been engaged searching for diamonds, and the success has wonderfully attended his efforts, several jewels found by him having been already sent to England. The Bank of New South Wales, at Armidale, advanced 700pounds after testing it. People in Sydney talk about it being worth a million and a half of money, but that will depend upon its purity.
It would seem that this Armidale diamond was picked up from the surface of the ground on a station and not at the Armidale diggings. It was rumoured in Sydney that the proprietor of the station intended to test the ownership with the finder.
Latest Telegram, Melbourne 13th August, 1869
A telegraph has been received from Sydney stating that Mr Butters has purchased the great Armidale diamond. A difficulty is said to have arisen about liens and carriers and custom duties.
The Herald 16th August 1869
The Herald reports a company was formed in Sydney on Saturday morning, owing in a great measure to the exertions of Mr Butters, for the purchase of the great Armidale Diamond for the sum of 1000pound cash down subject to a further payment to the seller of 4000pound should the stone on being examined by experts prove to be truly a diamond. Ninety shares were taken in Sydney at once, and on receipt of a telegram that the other ten shares had been received for Melbourne speculators.
Telegram Sydney 16th August
The Armidale diamond was delivered to the shareholders to day. The package, however is at present unopened. Great speculation is taking place in shares
Sydney 17th August
The Armidale diamond is being exhibited to the public for an entrance fee of half a crown. Good judges of precious stones have pronounced the supposed gem to be a piece of quartz
Of whatever character or value the stone received per northern escort, and now lying at the Sydney mint, may prove, it seems at least to possess one characteristic of the great diamond family – that of involving its finder or owner in difficulties. No illustrious stranger, however high in rank or celebrated in character could have induced greater excitement or provoked more enquiries than Mr Townsend’s supposed diamond did yesterday.
Telegram Sydney 17th August
A number of scientific men have examined the Armidale Diamond, but the result has not yet been published. In the meantime the stone is being exhibited to the public at an entrance fee of half a crown. Good judges pronounce the gem to be nothing else than a piece of quartz crystal A telegram from Sydney yesterday morning informs us that the great Armidale (supposed) Diamond, having been tested proves to be a white topaz and having been publically exhibited caused considerable disappointment and dissatisfaction
The inhabitants of Portland intend to hold A public meeting, to take into consideration the desirability of calling on Mr Butters, their present representative, to resign his seat in the Assembly. We cannot have any reasonable doubt that a motion affirming the desirability of that step will be carried without a dissentient voice; for, unfortunately for all parties, that gentlemans career as a legislator has not been such as to reflect credit either on himself or his constituents. The promptitude with which he proceeded to turn his opportunities to profitable account.
The Rev. WB Clarkes letter on the Armidale “diamond” of which calls for extract: He says: “The statement Mr Townsend gave of size of the alleged diamond – however truthful it might be – showed the improbability of its identity with that mineral. For, if not more than one in ten thousand diamonds in a diamond district, is, as is said, worth much consideration, how many million chances must there be against one, that a diamond larger than any hitherto known should be picked up from the surface of what is certainly not a diamond area.
Poor pebble: What has it done that it should be dragged out of the quiet of unnumbered centuries and forced into the turmoil of history.
James Stewart Butters had been serving as the member for Portland (Vic) for about a month when he was expelled from Parliament for bribery.