Business Wars Diamond Wars | The Diamond Rush | 1
Jun 24, 2020
In 1869, a diamond rush draws fortune-seekers to Cape Colony, led by the ambitious Barney Barnato and the scheming Cecil Rhodes. Their rivalry ignites as they navigate the chaotic diamond mining landscape. Hear tales of miners vying for claims and the brutal lengths some went to find gems. The struggle for financing from Rothschild Bank adds tension, while the establishment of the De Beers monopoly marks a pivotal shift in the industry. Survival of the fittest takes on a whole new meaning in this cutthroat chase for diamonds.
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Barnato's Diamond Rush
- Barney Barnato, a young man from London's slums, travels to Kimberley, South Africa, during the diamond rush.
- He starts small, hustling and reselling diamonds, eventually buying claims in the mines.
Ostrich Mishap
- Diamond miners in South Africa shot ostriches, believing they swallowed diamonds.
- After dissecting the birds, they found nothing, showcasing the irrationality of the diamond rush.
Stolen Diamond
- Barnato and his partner, Louis Cohen, suspect a miner is selling them a stolen diamond.
- Cohen pretends to assess the stone's quality, offering a low price to avoid trouble.
