Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-03-19
Gems Of the Orient.
THREE BUSHELS OF DIAMONDS FOUND
INSIDE AN IDOL.

The history of the gems in the East is
the history OF the governing Princes. for
so often has the course of history in the
Orient been affected by intrigues about
precious stones that they assume state
Importance. The traditional diamond in
the East is the Great Mogul The erigi-
nal weight of this stone was 7S7 carais.
but by cutting it was reduced to 297
carats. The stone disappeared at the last
Tartar invasion. when treasures to the
value of $3.50, 900, 600 were captured by
the Nadr Shah. 1t is believed to be at
present hidden away in some obscure for
tress in Asia Minor, and it may be recov-
cred at some future time.
Some idea of the abundance of precious
stones in the East may be gained from the
fact that when Mahmoud. in the eleventh
century, captured Sumnat an idol statue
was broken open and found to contain
three bushels of diamonds. rubies, and
emeralds. Ala. uddeen obtained from the
Raiah of Mahrattas fifty pounds of Ola
monds and rubies, and l75 pounds of
pearls. Shah Jehan. the greatest of the
/ Mogul sovereigns, left treasure of in
calculable value at his death, throne
valued at $50, 900, 900, and a crown worth
@i-'NVb-VVV' hC lIiOut WAS Tue ttlp-
brated peacock throne. so called from the
images OF two peacocks which stood be-
tore it, each made of precious stones so
matched In color and in position as to re-
sembe the natural colors of the bird. The
throne was six feet long and four feet
wide, of solid gold and crusted with
diamonds, rubies and emerads. Steps
OF silver led up to it, while canopy
OF gold tringed with pearls, sup
ported by twelve pillars emblazoned
with gems, surmounted the whole. On
each side was sacred umbrella made of
velvet. embroidered with pearls. the
handle being of solid gold inlaid with
diamonds. 1t was the most costly work
OF art ever made. Its only rival was the
cerulean throne of the house OF Bahmenee
in the Nisam This was built in the sew
enteenth century, was nine feet long by
three feet wide, was made of ebony Gov.
cred with plates OF gold crusted with
gems, and was valued at $40 600 900.
a late traveller in the East, Mr.. East.
wick. has recently given graphic ac.
count OF the magniticence of the Persian
crown jewels. In the Jewel room he
found treasures valued at $50. 00O. 900
among them the crown. mass of dia
monds surmounted by a ruby as big as q
hen egg. The Kings belt is a wonder
OF barbaric magnificence, weighing about
twenty pounds, and composed of suliC
mass of diamonds, rubies. and emeralds
As Persia is the native land OF the tur
quois, 1t is but natural that the fines
stones of this description is to be found in
its collection. This royal specimen i.
tour inches long. perfect in color. ant
without flaw. when the Shah was in
Europe, some wears ago, he wore avariety
OF diamonds and other precious stones thai
kept the detectives in constant fever o,
fear lest ne should be robbed of some o.
= them, for one, even OF the smallest, would
: nave been fortune for half a dozen
thieves. The buttons of his coat were five
IN number, and each button was diamond
j larger than the kohinoor. while every
! part OF his clothing seemed to be useful
i not as covering for his body. but as
e places to hang diamonds on.-T AUGUSTA.
Hamfin in Leisure Hours Amonq the
Gems"