Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-11-02
Imitation Diamonds.

PERFECTION IN THE ART OF MAKING FALSE GEMS.
Paris is the great center for this business
which has been brought TO the most astonishing
perfection. The astounding transformation Of
grains OF heavy looking, dirty sand into dia-
mond of the finest water, is the daily avOcation
Of large number of persons who avOwediy
work with tine intention OF deceiving every b 1dy
but the buyer. Everything in the operation
depends upon the quality OF sand, and that
OF FOntainebleau. Large quantities of ii are
sent abroad, so high is the repute In which it
stands. For initiating emeraldS sapphireS and
rubieS cOloring matter, entirely mineral in its
origin, is employed, and il has been brought 10
high state of perfection. About twenty years
ago the principal merchant in this class of Jew
elry was VI. BOurguign0n, whose atelier was
situated at the Barrier du Trone. He was the
prince of his trade. and surpassed all others in
the excellence OF his productions He en-
ployed nearly hundred wOrkmen, besides
number of women and young girls, whose bust
ness il was 10 polish the colOTed stones and line
the false pearls with fish scales and wax The
scales OF the roach and dace are chiefly used for
this purpose and form considerable source Of
profit 10 the fishermen OF the Seine in the en-
ylronS OF Corbeil who bring them to Paris in
large quantities during the season. They must
be stripped from the fish While living, Or the
gliStening hue which we admire so much in The
real pearl cannot be initiated. II WGS how
ever 10 the ''cultivatiOn" Of the diamond that
VI. RouFguigncn devoted his ingenuity, and. had
he detailed the mysteries OF his craft, some Of
the most singular Histories of family iia-
monds" and ''heii-lOOns" would have been
brought to light.
Not only was domestic deception carried on
by means OF VI. BOugutgnonS artistic skill but
he was often called upon to lend his aid TO DID
lomatic craft likewise. NumberleSS We're the
snuff boxes. ''adOrned.with valuable diamonds
which issued from his atelier in secret as The re-
ward Of public service Or ssllful negotiation:
innumerable portraits. ''Setin briidntS, which
were mounted there 10 gladden. the hearts OF
charge d'afiareS attaches and vice conS,llS.
\ visit to some of the workshops will inspire
the mind with wonder TO behold the perfection
with which art can be made to initiate the most
exquisite productions OF nature. The luster OF
the diamond, the richness, the double reiiec-
ton of the ruby. even the caprice and deviation
IN the form and color of the pearl, escape not
the cunning eve of the artist. Some OF the par
urts are valued as high as 5000 to 5000 francs.
The workmanship, however, is as tasteful and
costly as any produced by the first jewelers. in
the world. The setting is always of real gold
and the fashion of the newest kind. A tiara of
these stones OF the price OF 5000 francs viii
rival in effect and delicacy of finish its neigh
Dor which may have cost twenty times as
mllcn. None can tell the difference but those
who have been allowed to handle it and breathe
upon IL and touch it with the tongue and apply
an acid to it, in order to see whether or no ii be-
comes furnished.