New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-05
4 CRAZE FOR DIAMONDS.
THE FAVORlTE GEM OF AMERICAN WOMEN.
LARGE PURCHASES OF DIAMONDS FOR THE AMgRI-
CAN MARkEI-GREAT NAIuE nR LIE GEMS-

LARGE PURCHASES OF DIAMONDS FOR THE AMHRI-
CAN MARKET-GREAT VALUE OF THE GEMS
METHOD or CUTTING THE STONES.
The passion for diamonds is increasing
Probably ut previous time IN the history of the
American world Of fashion many of these
precious stones large proportion Of
them OF such excellent quality. Here and there
the popular taste may select the faneiful
gcm-touunaline zircon-but the fire glanc-
ing from the facets OF diamond has IA
Most of the diamonds from the Cape of Good Hope
few from Brazil and some from Siberia and Borneo
The discovery of the African diamonds six years
upset the market but IL has since recovered its equ
brum. Merchants in this city claim that imitation dia
monds have materially injured their interests. Such
depend he glare Of gasght to avoid detec
ton, sunlight readily exposes their real character
The demand for fine stones In increasing and for stones
finer than generally possible obtain In Europe
Many diamonds brought to America not cut In prs
matte proportion and have to be cut over by Aneri-
workmen to bring out their real beauty. A dia-
mond has thrty-six facets top and twenty
four facets below. II the distance from the
table" to the "coor" IL than one-third OF the
its "life" ia lost and IL should be The bot
Of good diamond tapers almost to point in the
cutting which Ia finally taken OH or all the diamonds
the white translucent that Is free from 1aw aud
perfectly cut is the most valuable Pink diamonds
hut bright yellow, brown and Jet black diamonds
may he easily found In the market While duh tint
adds Considerably to It's value Nineenths Of the blue
diamonds milky while all the fine white
Diamonds cost more than they did ten years ago, A
perfect brilliant o. the frat water Il worth about go
Diamonds OF a larger sze bring whatever may be OBJ
stated Asa diamond loses its weight in
cutting the value OF rough diamond may be calculated
imperfect thin, usually reduced To powder or util
zed in tools for drilling purposes Three carat stones
~ have frequently paid 5000 a carat for something
fne said Broadway diamond merchant recently TO "a
TRIBUNE reporter Diamonds like horses, there's
market them. No dealer ever sold good gem
rinc cheaper than now, but to-day you want good
diamond yo must pay g19d price Tor II You may buy
ira no GEM. ,,o,. nor,, ,ou than .vor ,o,oro
II should say most decidedly. I have been in the
for the exists to-day Last week attended q
saw bushels them. That is only way to describe
the number Of valuable diamonds worn there and most
had big sotres In rings earrings You see the finest
while for bracelets and hairpins an inferior stone
| may be used, as they are not so conspicuous
nine.tenths OF the diamonds were not clean. Dust
settles everything and 1t Is astonishing how ttle
inspect their gloves and shoes before completing their
dollars receive attention, become dirty and some
times are lost lady customer OF mine lost very val
had been in habit giving the gem any attention
would have noticed That setting Of eigheencarat
gold will in time and lose Its grip On the stone
The large solitaire diamond is now preferred 10 the
! the case OF young men ANXIOUS Tor display
Here and there gentleman will wear solitaire.
on his shirt bosom, bat IL he has good taste
he will be careful that they are small, or he
may be taken for gambler IL is astonishing now much
money Is sometimes represented in the diamonds worn
by ladies swell occasion. 1t is common thing II
New York society $4,000 100000 In diamonds
| ON adys person. Mrs. John Jacob Astor has beer
known to wear $4,000 worth OF diamonds at an even
ing reception, aud should say that the diamonds worn
by Mrs. W. H. Vanderbilt Mt the garden party spoke
worth fully that amount OF money. Mrs Mackay
wife Of the bonanza King. once offered to buy th'
famous Regent diamOnd, the most valuable III ths
world. II is valued at million, but the Frenoi
| Government wouldn't sell It,"
| "a handy thing TO pawn when You strike hardpan
| suggested the reporter. .
| "Not at all. You couldn't find dealer In the cit,
| who would advance q dollar It, Every QUE woul,
know II and know that II belonged TO the crown o
France. Besides, the diamond Is TOO big 10 sel-wha
could you do with it, Certainly not wear II. When
diamond five six carats In size IL Is not sale
able. Halphen, the famous diamond cutter OF Paris
has had in his possession tho south star diamond La
thirty and has not been able TO lind
purchaser for it. although his price Is only 100000