The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-17
BOSS TwEED'S DIAMOND.
Romantic History of One of the Brlshtesl
Gems In the World.

Gems In the World.
A few years ago Bill Tweed was glad to get
an occasional job at plastering, but now William
Nj. Tweed, by timely alliance with Tammany
and Jim Fisk is worth million. Now that he
is rich and powerful he has more friends than
before, aud some disinterested ones among them
paid $500 for diamond, which they gave
him on Christmas. The Je,oelers Circular calls
it, without doubt, the finest diamond in this
country, and says
About the year 1902 an agent of the celebrated
diamond house of Giorami Ricardo, of Vienna,
discovered this jewel in an ancient city in the
interior of India, and with much difficulty for
warded it to his house in Vienna. At this time
the stone weighed 2l15 carats, and was cut on
the face only, as was the custom in those days,
which were before the art of diamond-cutting
had reached anything like the perfection of
modern times. Thinking therefore, to enhance
both its beauty and its value, Sig. Ricardo set
his most skilful lapidaries to work upon it, aud
in the year 1911 it was delivered in q perfect
state and thus acquired an entirely new char
acter of quality and splendor. If 1t were beau
tiful before, it was now glorious beyond the
reach of words to describe 1t. The cutting,
however, reduced its weight TO 16M carats,
and, Notwithstanding the skill and care be-
slowed upon 1t, there was a flaw near the
edge of it, although it was perceptible only
to connOissenrs. In this state it was sold to a
certain Russian nobleman who had the misfor
tune to incur the displeasure of the Russian
Court, and was exiled to Siberia in consequence.
He carried the jewel with him in his weary
in good stead, however, at last, for II helped to
secure his freedom, although in what manner
does not tranepire. In 1725 the diamond passed
into the hands of French MARQUIS who was
person in high favor at the French Court. So he
kept it until he mysteriously vanished aud was
lost sight of for some time. But presently 10
Baden Baden there appeared at the gambling
tables this distinguished noblemau. After gam
bling all his other property, he staked this dia-
mond and lost, and then drew his pistol and
blew out his brains.
In the year 1741, after once more passing
into the possession of Russian, IL turned up
again in Paris, and was this time owned by a
upon it, Notwithstanding which he sold 1t to q
French noble, who bought 1t as present for
one of the court beauties. 1t remained in
France until 1892, and then travelled to Eng
land, when it was discovered that the edges
were slightly broken and Clipped. 1t was in-
closed, however in an elaborate setting, aud
worn in a bracelet upon the arm of a beautiful
woman, when short sleeves were in fashion, and
it had room and leisure to show off its splendOr
| and the loveiDess of the ladY's arm to supreme
advantage. In 1878 il again changed
hands, and was bought by one of the
richest baronets in England, who wore 1t
in a ring on the first finger, as was then the
| fashion of gentlemen of distinction. 1t con
| tiRued in this form until the year 1849, when II
was recut and the flaw mentioned before re-
moved, during the process of which 1t was
| reduced to its present size, namely, 93z carats
4 IL was nearly two years In hand before the dnal
| touches were put to It, which made IL the mos
perfect, beautiful, aud brilliant gem of its size
in the world. 1t was now sold once more TO
! French nobleman, who presented It to his bride
at the wedding feast, and the lady's family held
1t until the breaking out of the present war
when the cruel necessities compelled the sale o.
il again.