Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-08-08
FRENCH GROWN JEWELS.
The Seven Mazarin Diamonds-How
the Empress Eugene Loved Display
Empress Josephine and Her
Fancy for Pearl.
Paris Gau,ois

IaTlS oAU-OIS
Just now. when the crown diamonds
of France are to be scattered, 1t may
be interesting to know what parts
they have played in the toilet of queen
and empress. We have, therefore,
Questioned several ladies who formerly
moved IN court circles, and the jew
elers specially attached TO the court
and the following is the result of these
inquiries. According To these compe
tent authorities, tie sale will be not
only crime but also mistake. for
certain stones have acquired a great
value by their connection with their
fellow gems. Here is an example of
this:
The seven historical stones known
as the ''Mazarln diamonds. which
are among the first stones cut into
brilliants, which were bought in Italy
by Mazaria and formed part of the
ornaments of Louis XV's crown,
may be estimated to be worth, the
whole seven, about /, 200, 600 francs.
Our refined rules have decided to keep
one 'MaZarinh as sample aul sell
the others. Which one will they
keep? VIII it be the pink "Mazarin"
or the one so pure that gazing at it
steadily for a little while which gives
you sort OF vertigo2 We do not
know. What is certain is that the
reserved 'Maziarn" will be of no his
torical value without its brothers, and,
besides, the SIX latter will not sell we'll
without it.
These considerations are the same
for each lot into which the stones
may be divided. But let us pass to
tde notes and recollections of thecourt
ladies. Queen Marie Antolnette wore
the crown diamonds only IN big tassel-
knots or in rows, set round or square,
whica she formed into necklaces or
bracelets or wore around her waist.
The wonderful tassel-kuots which she
fancied she used sometimes as trim
ming for her corsage, sometimes as
fringe tips. lShe had splendid aigrettes
which she wore in her hair, and mag
nifcent clasps. More diamond pins
to pin up her train and a large mum
Der of diamond bouquets, which We're
sewn to her robes; but these latter
ornaments, as also the magnificent
earrings she always wore, were her
own property, and portion of them
passed to the Duchess d Augouleme;
the other portion was distributed as
souvenirs of affection and gratitude.
The Queen did not like the shape OF
a diadem and frequently coutented
herself with coronet-that is to say,
the little crown which sovereigns
wear on the back of their heads EN-
press Josephine preferred tinted
| =; \,
darkened her complexion. AS many
of the ceremonies under the empire
took place in the daytime, she wore
mostly sapphires and rubies. She
used to say rubies were the rouge for
brunettes. Nevertheless, the head
dress which Empress Josephine of
teuest wore was rows of flat pearls on
her forhc ad, a head dress which Prin-
cess Borghese, aNapoleon's beautiful
sister, also wore. Empress Marie
Louise, who had not the same reasons
as her predecessor, since she was white
skinned and a blonde in complexion,
courageously wore many diamonds
and Sapphires. The magnificent dia
dem of sapphires Just now on exbibi-
ton, and which contains stones in
comparable in size and tint, was worn
by Empress Marie Louise, and the
coronet which completes the head
dress IS eff exquisite Workmanship. EN-
press Eugene was without contra
diction, the sovereign who most
frequently used the crown jewels.
She had completed that matchless
string Of pearls, which contains uni
que pearls. This forefold string form
ed a magnificent trimming for cor
sage and skirt The Empress, who for
long time did not want to wear or
naments which heightened the fore
head, had that pretty Russian s.ladem
made, which is comparatively low,
and which forms a charming neck
lace She had pearl aud diamond
combs. One of these combs contains
a pink diamond, which, it is said, has
not its equal.
She afterward wore in her hair
diamond stars and crosses, and finally,
viewing with favor ornaments reared
on the forehead, she put on the dia
dems to which she now took definite
| liking. She mos frequently wore the
I one of diamonds and turquoises, which
is on exhibitions under a glass case;
often, also, diadem of emeralds and
brilliants, which, being her own pri
vate property, has been sold by her,
as also the string of pearls, called
pigeon eggs, on account of their size,
and which was bought by the late
Nine. de Paiva
Go in peace, jewels Of France, since
you arc no longer appreciated! You
will not fine more sanity, brave,
pious, and charitable sovereigns than
those whom yor have adorned.