The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-08-25
CHINESE PEARLrGROWERS.
NOTED GEMS THAT ARE OWNED
BY ROYAL FOLK.

other KIND OF precious Jewels" SAID
New York importer. ''The taste for
them has been revIving rapidly during
the last few years until they have be
come almost as popular a gem az the
diamond. In one respect they resemble
the diamond more than anything else we
trade in, for them smallest of them are
saleable and have always market value"
The finest specimens are now, and al
ways have been, taken in the eastern
seas. The most favored locations are
near the coast of Ceylon and in the Per
sian gulf near the Island of Bahreim. On
the coasts of Java and Sumatra and near
Japan there is large production, and
fine specimens are often found. TheIe
are large pearl fisheries near the Isthmus
of Panama, and for more than a century
pearl fishing has been a profitable indus
try in California.
"The Chinese and japanese are said to
aid nature in the production of pearls by
carefully piercing the shells and intro
ducing a particle of sand into the into
rior. By experiment it has been demon
strated that the period required for the
formation of pearl ranges from five to
ten years"
''How are the pearls brought to the
l-surface2" asked the Chicago Necs cor
respondent to whom the dealer was talk
ing.
''By diving principally. In South
America and Australia modern appli-
ances, such as the diving bell aud air re-
ceptacles, are used, but in the East the
old method is still in vogue. have my
self visited the principal fishery in the
East, on the west coast of Ceylon, in the
bay of Manaar. l was present during
! the busiest season, when there were about
200 boats at that station, After number
less ceremonies have been performed by
the superstitious divers each boat sets out
with twenty men aud steersman, under
the command of the adonaper or chief
pilot. Ten of these are divers, the re-
mafning ten manipulating the oars. In
addition to the crew there is always a
| 'pilael kaeras,' or snake-charmer on
board, as no diver would descend with
out his presence. Several of these gentry
are also stationed on the shore, whose
duty it is to pray and humble incanta-
! tions until the boats return. At each
side of the boat is a stage from which the
divers descend. They go down in shifts
of five, and by this method of alternately
diving they give each other time to re-
cruit themselves for fresh plunge. The
serious effects of this continual submer-
sion are shown in the discharges of water,
and occasionally of blood, from the
divers mouth, ears and nostrils. But
this does not hinder the men from going
down again in their turn. They will
often make from forty to fifty descents
in one day and at each plunge bring up
hundred oysters. Some rub their bod
les with oil and stuff cotton in their ears
and noses to prevent the water from en-
tering; the greater portion use no pre-
caution whatever. Instances are known
where divers have remained under water
for four, five and even six minutes.
"1he oysters are generally sold un-
| opened and as their contents are alike
unknown to both buyer and seller the
transaction is practically lottery. Many
| oysters contain not even a seed pearl,
while another may produce one worth
from 81 200 upward. The finest, per-
haps, at present known is in Spain, and
was brought from the Indies by a French
merchant in the reign of Philip ~. of
Spain and purchased by him. Ita
weight is 1876 carats and its value un-
computed. Another fine pearl, once
among the crown jewels of Spain, but
now in the possession of the Russian
Princess Youssopoff, is the Peregrina'
] (the incomparable). 1t was purchased
by Philip II. and is now held at $685.
900. The Shah of Persia has two pearls
the peers of any of the world The first
is described by Taverneer who saw it.
1t was found in 1888 by an Arab, and
some years afterward it was purchased
by the King of Persia for $3.50, 600. He
also owns another about three-quarters
| of an inch in diameter valued at $50, 600.
! There are some very fine pearls in the
/ English, French and Russian crown Jew
| els. ranging in value from $50, 600 down.
/ ward. The ruler of AIuscat has a col
ored pearl for which the ssum of $3.50,
600 has been offered aud refused. Mrs.
Mackay owns two very fine pearls, and
others of immense value are at present
among the possessions of American mil
/ lIonaires.
During the last twenty years the setting
of pearls and turquoise together has been
! practiced extensively. Al the large
manufacturers of jewelry throughout the
world, and more eNensiYely in America,
use on the average so per cent. of
tureuoise to 100 pef.cen Of pearls. The
turquoise, like the pearl, owes but little
TO art, and like the pearl, also, the
smaller sizes are very cheap. The
turquoise is composed of earthly matter
in combination #ith protoXide of cop
per, phosphate Of alumina and iron. 1t
has no transparency, and when broken its
color is uniform.
In the middle ages this gem was well
known and most highly valued. But few
ornamental stones had such wonderful
gifts and virtues ascribed to it. Even to
this day such proverbs as the following
/ are current:
"A turquoise given by a loving hand
carries with it happiness and good for
tune.
''The color of turquoise pales when
r,roll of fla rri,ror 10 &, 1ourear -