Treasure Tales and Treasure Stories About Nevada from the Archives of Lost Treasure Magazine

Crystal Clear Mistake

Not so well known as other treasure stories in Nevada is the one concerning the Lost Nevada Diamond Pipe. A prospector named Lawrence left Stewart Ranch, now the site of Las Vegas, to look at a prospect on the Colorado River. Heading toward the river, which was about 25 miles away, he came upon an odd blue-colored streak in the volcanic formation. Taking a few pounds of the blue mud from the seam, which ran at right angles to the surrounding formation, he planned to wash it when he reached water. Upon washing it out, a few crystal clear rocks remained in the bottom of the pan. Pocketing the stones, he continued his search for silver.

After carrying the crystals for some time, the prospector asked a jeweler if the rocks were worth anything. The stones proved to be water-clear diamonds, 1 to 31/2 carats in weight. Lawrence was a successful miner -- he knew gold and silver, of which he had found an abundance. Not in need of money and believing he could return to the place where the stones had been found, he made his friends presents of the gems. Imagine his embarrassment when he was unable to return to the blue mud again.

Lawrence left Stewart's, by way of Vegas Wash, finding the pipe on the second day of his journey. This would locate the outcrop about 20 miles west-southwest of Las Vegas in Clark County.