The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-10-13
Diamonds and Their Buyers.

Diamonds and Their Buyers.
A New York reporter has had an in
isresting interview with jeweler, who
gave the newspaper man some interest
ing points concerning diamonds and
diamond buyers. The reporter asked !:
What is the favorite JEWELL"
1.-The diamond; and it is likely to re-
asain so. The ease with which it may be
,awned at something near its value is
strong inducement with many"
How is the market ?"
1.-THE best qualities remain about as
usual. New York is full, however, of
the good or average grades, and they are
good purchases at the present prices.
Sens always bring their price, and are
always more or less scarce"
what are gems?'
1.-The true gem is perfect diamond.
IT is of good color, we'll cut, without
law, and above all, full Of fire. Fire Is
sle main point. Without it diamond
goes down one step and becomes brill
hant. Most diamonds are Of this class.
They are often white and handsome
stones in other respects, but lack some
yqse quality which excludes them from
the highest rank. Fire is indispensable
in a gem, and a dealer will detect the
deficiency at glance. When the cutter
Ends that he cannot make gem out OF
stone, he cuts for brilliant, and
these stones make the bulk of our sales.
Khe brilliants vary greatly, OF course.
Sxsne are white, but lack fire; others
nv be bright, but have flaw; and
- Be-, 10 ut
Are customers able to Judge of the
real value of diamonds"
VERY rarely; most people have to
c~iy on the dealer. Some OF the wealthy,
however, who have a passion for dia-
rends, and are always buying or bar
ssring them, can make q fair guess at
6seir value What they lack is that
discipline of Judgment which can only
I've obtained by those who are in the
Business. The average customer is gen
orally satisfied if convinced that the
stone is real diamond, and that he is
bnying it low
What are the lowest grades of dia-
Donds?"
"We call them rose diamonds-I do
not know why, for they are of the same
rclor as other stones. They are ordi-
narily small ana fiat on one side, and
ssnnot be cut to shape. Sometimes they
Ee the chips from larger diamonds.
These have to be set on solid surfaces,
md, although sometimes used in cluster
rings or brooches, are sold chiefly on the
hack of watches or to ornament me-
dIum grade of bracelet. They are
mueful stones for certain classes of trade.
seDo people take diamonds with them
vhcn going to watering places?"
AS rule they do not. Most persons
take only enough for every day nse; the
srs4 are locked up in bank with the
nmily plate. So many sharpers infest
he watering places that the risk Of wear
ing jewelry is too great. Then. too, it
~ becoming the rule to dress plainly at
ruumer resorts. The chiidrens nurse
sdsen takes nearly as much jewelry to the
vuntry as her mistress. Last fall one
NJ the maids told me that she had been
srind!ed out of $50 pin that . water
ing place acquaintance had offered to
have repaired for her."
"Who else do YOU sell to in this sea-
ssn?'
CLERKS who want something to make
a show with at Coney Island or Rocka-
psy and men who like to make q
brilliant appearance at the old country
ssznesteads. Lately we have made sales
10 considerable number of working
ssen-particularly to those who want to
Irvest their winter and spring savings
m something and are suspicious of saw
z.g banks. 1 sold 800 ring to one of
sbem last week. He was . cartman, and
nd not look to be worth IS. He drove q
good bargain, and his remark a. he left
- store was, "A diamond is easily hid
md hard to spend, and won't wear out
ne Clothes
Here" continued the jsweler, lis 9
niss looking but not high priced goods
sury fairly set, and not large enough "a
szsiss suspicion - 10 their genuineness
u sAsy we're much larger W could moi