Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-02

The collection OF Jewels and precloss
stones formed by the late Mr.. henry fni.v
Hope, the grester portion OF which 70
be sold at Cbrtstie's, was one OF very 70
msrk able interest. chiefly on account Of the
famous blue diamond, which, moro thtn
bali a century back was known ~ the
Hope diamond, having come into posses-
sion Of Mr.. Henry Thomas Ho9e, Amster.
dam, In London. This extremely rare
gem. however. which WAS the rival ~ t1e
kob-fnoor In the grtat exhibition of 1Sjls
aud winch Il the chief Of about FIVE OF the
only blue diamonds known, Is not included
IN the present sale.
A splendid star of azure FIRE shines out in
the lovely sapphire known historically ss
.sLe Saphir MeivellIeDx," upon which
Nine. de Genlis founded charming story
wheu Il belonged 10 Philippe Egahle, Duo
d'Orleans. In color this beautiful stoac,
which l. five eigbths of an inch octagon ses
around with small brillisnts "a a ring, Il
even richer aud softer in It's tone taan the
blue diamond, but less fierce in IT, lustfe.
Its weight l. sseveDty-iouf grains; not large,
therefore, since there j. one az Ava OF g5t
carais, and the one In the collection OF the
,lsrdin des Plsntes weighs l32 l.l6 clrats,
without, flaw. which was found by poor
Bengalee, afterward purchased by one Mr..
Ruspoli, II Rome, and eventually cane TO
Paris Jewel merchant for 10000 francs.
Another interesting Jewel Il the King OF
Candy's cst's-eye, the largest knowa, being
su inch and hall In diameter aud hemi.
spherical, mounted In the original Oriental
setting Of gold studded ithrubies cut en- ca
| bOchoR. Its color cannot he better described
| than by it, resemblance 10 the glistening
green and tawny yellow OF the cruel eye OF
cats and tigers. TIE charm Of the cat's-cye
| is in the chsnRing streak or ray OF silyery.
ligbi, and this II L. that led the Cingasss
10 fancy that Il held q genie who could
protect against witchcraft, so that they
prize with superstitious yeneraiion these
strange stones. There are several other
specimens in the collection, and one OF the
gold cat~eyes known 10 minerilogists as
crocidOlite.
OF the opals there are some fine speci-
mems, both Of the Hungarian, which are
the best. aud Of the Mexican. which arc
softer and more porous. A beautiful orna-
ment formed Of these gems is most appro'
priaioly formed like a chameleon, with the
creatures b.ck studded all over with opals
Of changing iride.cenee. This Is an ex-
cser ingly iire example Of the art OF the
jOdiuicr of the scyt nteenth century, In gold
Il 1iiN fHtifl NNlNs
Another very interesting opal Ia the
Mexican sun ural." 20 called from hav.
| Ing the head Of the sun god carved upon
| It, This Is an inch long sud nearly the
same In width, aud the carving seems 10
| be barlarc aud MOI antique Roman. or we
might fancy 1t was the opal OF historic
celebrity which was coveted by Marc
| Antony, and led him to banish NoHitis, the
| posses>or of II. who, however, escaped
| with his opal. This curious Mexican opal
| has its traditions as being Historically
| known since the sixteenth century.
The largest pearl known is another OF
| the raritcs Oi the collection, two inches
long. ptar-shap,1. ~ IN oplline tint,
mounted as pendant ~ an archcd crown
OF enamel, ruhies, emenlds. s1pphlres. aud
briliants. Interesting a. specimen OF
glyptic work 2, diamond cut In the form
| Il a cross, which i said to DE unique.
| There i also a cross formed Of six rare
| brilliant green diamonds. and another
anomaly q the kiud + white ruby. The
sword-hiIt Il King Nura', made ot a large
| aquam9riue. cut IN iacet', with various
! levels studded about the gold cross. piece,
! /. apother curiosity In this remarkable col.
ltclion.-L0nd0, Times.