[5] The geodes containing the Bristol Diamonds are frequently found in this conglomerate, in the areas of Bridge Valley Road, Leigh Woods, Sea Mills and St Vincent's Rocks.

[9][10] In William Camden's topographical survey of Great Britain and Ireland, published in 1586, the diamonds are described: The one of them which on the East-side overlooketh the river beareth the name of S. Vincents rock, so full of Diamants that a man may fill whole strikes or bushels of them.

The other rocke also on the West-side is likewise full of Diamants, which by the wonderfull skill and worke of nature are enclosed as young ones within the bowels of hollow and reddish flints, for heere is the earth of a red colour.

[10][11] In 1654, diarist John Evelyn visited Bristol and, like many other visitors, went hunting for the diamonds, "what was most stupendous to me was the rock of St. Vincent, the precipice whereof is equal to anything of that nature I have seen in the most confragous cataracts of the Alps.

"[15] Bristol Diamonds became popular souvenirs for visitors to the spa at Hotwells in the early nineteenth century,[16] and were also used for jewellery,[10] although Benjamin Silliman, a nineteenth-century American traveller, considered them overpriced.