In 1866, a 15-year-old boy named Erasmus Jacobs came across a pretty bright pebble near his home by the Orange River in Northern Cape, South Africa. The clear and shiny pebble drew Erasmus’s attention, so he picked up the pebble and played with it. He then brought it home and gave it to his sister to play with.
The “clear stone” caught the interest of a neighbouring farmer, Schalk Van Niekerk who visited the farm. Van Niekerk was a keen gem collector who saw the children playing with the clear stone and asked to look at it. After some examination, he suspected the “clear stone” might be of value so he offered to purchase it from Mrs. Jacob. Mrs. Jacob refused to accept money but gave it to him instead.
After several attempts to identify the stone, Van Niekerk brought it to a local trader, John O’Reilly. O’Reilly who suspected it was a diamond took it to the Civil Commissioner in Colesberg who sent the stone to Dr. Atherstone, a physician and amateur geologist in Grahamstown. The physician confirmed that based on the stones physical properties it was a diamond weighing 21.25 carats, worth £500 in its rough form.
This stone was later named “Eureka”, which means “I have found it!” in Greek language. The discovery of Eureka marked the start of Africa’s diamond story, as it was the first diamond to be authenticated.
The identity and value of Eureka was later confirmed by diamond experts in London. A replica of Eureka was displayed at the 1867 Paris Exhibition (an attempt to avoid theft). Eureka was cut into a 10.73 carats brilliant oval shape which increased its estimated value to £800.
In 1947, 80 years later, a centre diamond set in a bangle that was believed to be Eureka was auctioned at Christie’s in London sold for £5,700.
In 1966, 100 years after its discovery, De Beers purchased Eureka and brought it “home.” They presented it to the people of South Africa, to be displayed permanently at the Kimberley Mine Museum, South Africa.
It is not sure how much money Jacobs’s family received for the stone but it has been reported that the money they received enabled them to purchase five farms. Erasmus Jacobs died on May 5, 1920, survived by many children and grandchildren.