The Nevada Democrat., 1859-10-12
Russ,an Crown Dlamonds--Romantic.

| Among the crown diamonds 10 the Treasury
of the Cars of Moscow, are two Of remarkable
value One the size Of pigeons egg, and is
called the "Orloffr The other is in the form
of an irregular prism This is named the
SHAH and 1t is Of the breadth and almost the
len 9Th of the little finger. 1t formerly belong
ed 10 the Sorphis, and was one Of two enor-
nous diamonds which ornamented the throne
of Nadir Shah, and which were called the "Sun
Of the Sea" and the "Moon Of the Mountain"
| Here is the story:
When Nadir was assassinated bis treasures
we're pilaged, and his precious stones divided
among few soldiers, who carefully concealed
them. An Armenian named Shafras, resided
at that period at Bussora, with his two broth
ers. One day an afghan came TO him, and Of
fered for sale the large diamond, "The moon
| of the Mountain" as well as an emerald, q ru-
| by of fabulous size, 9 sapphire of the finest wa
| ter, called by the Persians the Eye Of Allah"
aud number of other stones for the whole Of
| which be asked such moderate sum that Sbaf-
ras suspected that they had not been honestly
come by, told him to call again, as he had no
money in the house. The afghan fearing that
Shafras was going to act with treaehery to-
wards him, left the place, and could not again
be found, although the three brothers made ev-
cry search for him.
Some years afterwards the eldest brother
met the man at Bagdad, who told him that he
had just sold all bis precious stones for $4,000
piastres and pair Of valuable horses. Shat
ras had the residence Of the purchaser, who was
a Jew, pointed out to him, aud he went to him
and offered bin double the price he had given
for them, but was refused.
The three brothers then agreed TO murder the
Jew and rob him of bis purchase, which they
did, and on the following day poisoned the All
CHAN, and threw both the bodies into the river.
| A dispute soon arose between the brothers as
to the division of the spoil, which terminated in
| Shafras getting rid of his two brothers by pois-
on, after which he fed to Constantinope, and
thence to Holland, where no made known the
riches ho possessed. and offered them for sale
| to the different Courts of Europe. Catharine
II. proposed to buy the Moon of the Mountains
only.
Shafras was requested to come to Russia, and
he was introduced to the Court jeweler. The
terms demanded by Sbafras were letters of no.
bility, life annuity of 10000 roubles and
5000 roubles payable by equal instalments in
ten years. Count Banin who was then minister
delayed the settlement Of the bargain az long
as possible, and in the meantime had the Arme-
nian led into such extravagances that he fell in
to debt and when the minister found that he had
no means of paying what he owed he abruptly
broke of the negotiation. Shafras according
to the laws Of the country could not leave un-
I'll his debtor should be paid, and the court jew
eller prepared to take advantage of his embar-
easements, and intended that the diamond
should fall into his hands for its value. Shat
ras however discovered the trap that had been
laid for him, and disposing of some Of the less
valuable stones among his countrymen, paid
his debts, and disappeared Agents were sent
after him who had orders to assassinate and rob
him, but he escaped them.
Ten years after, while he was at Astrachan
renewed offers were made to him, but he refus-
ed to enter into any negotiations unless the
bargain should be settled at Smyrna. Gather
inc accepted, and became the possessor of the
diamond for letters of nobility, 100000 roubles
and 100000 paper rOubles, making together
about two and half millions of francs. Shaf-
ras, not being able to return to his couHtyy
where he would have had to account for two
homicides and two fratricides, fixed himself at
Astracban, where he married country woman
Of his, and had seven daughters. One of his
son-in-laws poisoned him for the sake of pos
sessing his share of property. Tho immonse
fortune which the murderer had acquired (from
ten to twelve mlions) was divided. and soon
spent by his successors, and several of the
grandchildren of Shafras are now living at AS
trachan in abeot misery.