The New Orleans crescent., 1868-01-12
NEW ORLEANS. January II, 1858.

New ORLEANS, January IL, 1868.
There are few ladies who while dazzling the
eyes with diamonds think oil the immense labor
expended upon a single stone. There are few, il
any, workmen'in this country possessed Of suf-
ficient skill to undertake the polishing Of them.
In 1852 it was agreed that the famed Kohi-noor
did not reflect light with the brillancy of which
II was capable. The most experienced jewellers,
diamond merchants and mineralogists were con-
suited as to the reason of this deficiency, and to
devise a remedy. After grave consultation it
was determined to regrind the surface of the dia-
mOnd, giving 1t new facets, which would reflect
better the light. small steam engine was
erected for the grinding, and as nothing will cut
diamond save its own dust, some was placed
upon metal wheel revolving two thousand times
in q minute. The operation was so delicate,
involving the destruction or injury OF gem OF
such value. that no workmen in England were
considered sufficiently skillful to undertake II.
Two were brought from Holland, where most of
the diamonds sold in the English market are cut,
20 per orm the operation. To perform il the
diamond was embedded in mass of solder. leav-
ing nothing exposed but the angle to be operated
upon, which was successfully changed by the
rapidly revolving wheel and diamond dnst.
The rage for diamonds has increased within the
last ten years in this country TO an enormous ex-
tent and the price is accordingly enhanced. There
are many reasons why the eagerness to purchase
diamonds has become so general. They are an
admirable investment, as their value Is always
and Brazilian mines has decreased one half. This,
it is thought, is attributable to two factsthat the
supply u failing, aud that monOpo'ies already be-
come wealthy, are content 10 abide by govern
mental restrictions, and results obtained with the
least labor.
in tins country diamonds are largely in demand
as engagement rings and pledges The strength
of the lovers attachment being often gauged by
The value of the diamonds he presents. The value
OF the stone depends more on its purity than its
size, ard increases with great rapdity. One OF
ten caTsts was va ued at $4,000 gold.
There are many families in this city living on
! the money produced by the sale OF these gems,
| purchased in the days of prosperity.
| The old fashioned silver setting Is the most
| fashionable at present. IT is considered most
suitable TO set of the SIZE and beauty OF the stone.
In jewelry, generally, great luxury ia indulged.
Beautiful stone and she'll canoes, surround d with
pearls and cut in the most artistic and finished
| style are in great demand. New designs in gold
| and silver flagree are very pretty. They repre-
sent some hOWer-the heart a cluster Of gems.
| Very elegant locke,s are made of unburnished (or
/ IN jewelers. parance) Gull gold. The center a
| carved head, monogram formed OF stones, or
some other design. Many are triangular in shape.
These intended for miniature have the glass skill
! fully concealed by delicate hand, fan or some
| other fBnciul design, which, upon touching a
spring, flies back and reveals the face. Ia brooch
end esrdrops there are many fanciful designs,
| frequently Of a classic shape.
Speaking of classics reminds me OF fact
| that may have escaped the memory OF the gen
| tlemen-that tight itti9g pantaloons are classic
in their antiquity and origin; they, that is the ter
ror. of ill-built men without calves, were once
| worn as part of the official dress Of the great
standard bearer of the Venetian republic. On
The banner he carried the lion Of ST. Mark aud
he was the Planter of the Lion, around whose flag
aud tightly encased legs the battle RACED thick
est The parti colored legs of the tall banner
planter being the rally ing point of the Venetian
the ladies do not openly abuse the tight htlng gar
ments in which gentlemen display their tender
limbs as they (that is, the gentemen,) abused
crinoline, il is their modestY prevents them; mol
that there is not as much room for criticism.
| Many ladies from the country ask what is thu
fashion at the theater and opera, hats or no hats
The question is grave and difficult one to de
eide. Atthe first place should say hats reigned
| at the second, elegant cOifeurs without tn
crowniDg grace. Though many ladies, young an
handsome ones too, wear elegant continuation
Of silk, lace and flowers, yclept bats-high neel
dresses and long sleeves. One lady habited in
silk, made in the latter style, and enveloped IN
magnificent real lace shawl, wore one OF thes
combinations. 1t had a sharp pointed front, an
by the elevation Of the chignon, it rested grace
fully on the ladies forehead, the point Just aooV
the bridge OF the nose, aod descending betwee
, ,he high aTched eyebrows. The tOute eIseHeo'
! Of the lady's toilette was elegant IN the extreme
as even the most critical of the LADY cOmmentel
| on her appearance had 70 admit, aud as tnN
tte style in its eIsggeraUn, Of course II VIII hn
imitators and admirers.
very elegant lavender eolored silk was raaa
with low eorsage lace tucker, aDou. y"
e inches broad, was drawn in witc narrow crimst
e velvet; the sleeves Of the silk were homaopethl
e that is. infnitesimal, being but narrow oanG
Y broad lace, headed with pearl fringe, pass
|. around the corssge and added little to the nom
] opathic sleeve; q pearl necklace with pendar