Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-05-05
Diamonds in War Time.

In ordinary times, dealerS in precious stones
usually have an ample supply of these valus.
BILE gems on hand. It seems, however, that In
time of war (thi5 war, at least) this supply be.
comes very small by degrees, so great Is the
demand for the "sparklers." At the commence.
ment of the rebellion diamonds we're not only
abundant but we're comparatively cheap. In
point of value, these are only second to coin
If Of the first water, and free from defect, q
diamond of particular size represents at all
times q certain equivalent in coin. At the
present time these costly stones stand at a par
value.
The demand for them is very great. A new
class of purchasers have suddenly sprung into
existence. People who two years ago could not
tell the difference between q tiara Of gems of
the purest brilliancy and the spurious ''sparks"
that are always In abundance, are now the
best customers of the dealers In these luxurle5.
Having realized money in one way and another,
| they appear to be determined to indulge In
purchasing diamonds as extensively as the
greatest millionaires in the country.
A few days ago man dressed In fine clothes
entered well-known jewelry store in Philadel-
phia. His face was bronzed, his hands horny.
His nose was an unmitigated pug, and teeth
were indelibly stained by second class caven-
man to the manor born, but his garments were
an evident incumbranoe.
"I want to look at some dimona," he said, as
he entered the doorway. junior clerk show
ed him to the "dimon" counter. He here re-
peated his request to senior clerk. The latter
took quick glance at his customer, and made
i up his mind that the man had come TO the
wrong place. -
"You wish to see diamond jewelry' ?"
az do" +
The clerk produced tray filed with imita-
tion gems, and submitted them for inspection.
The man fingered several of the articles
without speaking, and as silently laid them
down. q" Thin isn't what I'm afther. | wan
the rale kind. Show me somethin' wid the ralt
sparrikle,'' fst.
Thinking to get rid of proftless customer
the clerk produced q velvet case, in which re-
posed, in gorgeous efiulgence, abracelet, breast
! pin and earnings In the fines. diamonds 3
/" How do those suit you7" asked the clerk.
The man looked OF them. Alb thin % the beau
/ ties, What's the price o. thim2 :"
q The set is $1,000, " said the clerk, preparing
| In return them 10 the caee, not dreaming OF the
purchase.
9"Well, III take thim," was the quiet ant
prompt reply.
]. Il was unnecessary to say that the clerk wal
somewhat astonishtd. In all his experience the
purchase exceeded all former precedent. Befor,
leaving the store, the customer purchased
single stone diamond ring at $500, and gave bill
check In payment for the lot. He was sdetain.
ed, in an inspection Of other goods, while one o
the clerks went to the bank to test the value o
the check, who returned with the money and th,
information that If drawn for five times th,
amount IL would have been 90 promptly honor
i ed. Subsequent inquiry led to the discover!
that the pufchaser OF the diamonds in question
had accumulated money following up the arm.
and purchasirg its ofial fof soap pmanufacsurin
lat the same time 1oaplng money to officers y
usurioua rates, and purchasing claims OF sol
dlefs and Others against the Government. Tn
man two years ago was foreman in lard an
tallow factory.