Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1867-08-08
DIAMONDS.

place without any reference to paper mo-
ney, diamonds being always reckoned by
gold standard. The reason is to be found
partly in the falling off Of production
! Diamonds do not obey the usual COM
mercial law Of demand and supply; on the
contrary the greater the demand the less
grows the supply. No new mines have
! been discovered and none are likely to be
while the old ones are badly worked by
wealthy monopolies and suject to all sorts
Of government restrictions.
It is not true, however, that the search
ty has caused the introduction Of spurious
stones into the market, simply because It
is impossible. A real diamond cannot be
initiated, and false one can be detected
as far as it can be seen by a person expe-
rienced in the handling of gems. The re-
putation Of the large houses that sell the
majority of diamonds bought, is pledged
to the quality Of the stones, and a mistake
would be dishonor.
Moreover, there is no demand for sham
diamonds, so say the most respectable dea-
lers; they could not sell them at half price,
or quarter price, or any price, if they had
them When people want to buy such
things they go to some ':originaP' jacobs
Or California diamond store, and know
that they are buying cut quartz, notwith-
standing the fine names grated upon it.
twenty-five years ago very few persons
wore real diamonds, now everybody wears
more or less; and the ambition to own a
diamond ring or earrings is as common
as the old-fashioned desire for one good
black silk dress
Young girls did not formerly wear dia-
monds at all, now they display them with
thing less than handsome diamond as an
engagement ring would be looked upon
with contempt This singular freak Of
fashion in selecting diamonds for engage
ment rings has alone created an immense
demand, which there is not the slightest
prospect will be Eessened until we all be-
come Shakers, or what is equally probable,
women relinquish their privileges to Sc
cure their rights.
The size Of the stones isof the most i'm
portance in determining the relative value
of diamonds; stone weighing one carat,
of fine quality, may be purchased for two
hundred and fifty dollars, while magni-
fcent stone weighing ten carats, set as a
ring, was valued the other day at nine
thousand dollars. The size of such a gem
as this makes it unique It is probably
the largest stone in the United States
The most fashionable method Of setting
diamonds now is in silver in quite the old
fashioned style, which is said after all to
be the best and most effective for display
ing their size and beauty. A large num-
Der of valuable diamonds have been lately
reset in silver.
The same reasons which have operated
to enhance the value of diamonds, have
led also, though in less degree, to in
crease the price of emeralds. These are
the only gems which,. in fashionable
point Of view, rival diamonds.
Pearls have greatly advanced in price
within a few months and it is expected
will be very scarce and high for some time
to come. The cause of this is to be found
in the greed for large pearls, which not
only induces pearl fishermen to throw
away the small and comparatively value
less specimens, but also kin ard destroy
SO many young oysters as to threaten the
extinction of the entire traffic as a source
of revenue. The government has, there
fore, ordered the pearl fisheries to be aban
doned for a space Of three years, during
which time pearls will constantly become
more scarce and precious.
SHARP LESSONS. -Undcr the reign of the
first caliphs, there was merchant at Bag
dad equally rich and avaricious.
One day he bargained with porter to
carry home for him a large basket Of porce
lain vases for ten paras. AS they went along
he said to the man.
! My friend, you are young, and I am
old you can still earn plenty, Strike off, |
entreat you, para from your hire.
Willingly replied the porter,
This request was repeated again and
again until when they reached the house,
the porter had only one para to receive.
AS. they went up stairs, the merchant
said
If you will resign the last para, I will
give you three pieces of advice
BE it So said the porter.
1 We'll, them said the merchant, If any
one tells you it is better to be fasting than
feasting, do not believe him if any one
tells you it is better to walk than ride, do
not believe him if any one tells you it is
better to be poor then rich, do not believe
him.
MY good SIR replied the astonished
porter, I knew these things before; but If
you will listen to ME, will give you ad
vice such as you never heard
The merchant turned around, and the
porter throwing the basket down the stair
case, said to him.
If any one tells you that one of your
vases remains unbroken, do not believe
him
Before the miser could reply, the porter
made his escape.
Shark was seen in Norfolk harbor on Sat-
urday evening.