Thoughts on old photo

[Goldfreak]

Although at first glance he is prospecting for gold as the photo is labeled I have a thought he might be looking for diamonds like the modern photo from Africa. Thoughts ?

Echunga where the black and white photo was taken is a well known gold field in SA but also had diamond finds.

 

[RM Outback]

Could well be looking for diamonds but I'm more inclined to think diamonds were a rare find unless the location was primarily prospected for them.

 

[Adrian ss]

Bit of info here re Echunga diamonds.

https://www.southaustralianhistory.com.au/diamonds.htm

 

[user 4485]

Could be?
RM you might know this area?
I know on the Cudgegong Diamond Fields (2 Mile etc.) they were originally found as a by product of gold processing, as were sapphires, rubies etc. Mostly the gold diggers had little interest in gems.
Where the diamonds were known they did have a small scale fossickers diamond jig in use around 2 mile but I've only ever read a description on it, no pictures unfortunately. Pretty sure it was described by Stutchbury the NSW Geologist in the early 1850's. I'll see if I can find it later on.
I believe the gold dredge at the Reedy Creek & Cudgegong River junction was also modified at one time for diamonds.