The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-03-14
PRECIOUS STONES.

wears. ana VIII tht ninSt Na7s'
wealth. men and women have become
more critical and exacting IN their tastes,
and much higher art standard now pre-
walls In nothing is this more noticeable
than in themaiter Of personal adornment
in which precious stones play so promi-
neni a part Sharp contrasts IN The ar
rancemcnt Of colors are seldom seen, and
instead of inconsraous and lavish deco
ratiop there are shown a love Of harmony,
and an art in arrangement which satisfy
the eve and are in keeping with the
principles Of beauty
In the list Of precious stones, the dia-
lnond, the ruby, the emerald, and the
sapphire may be said to hold an equal
place in public estimation. The Ameri-
can people are not only the most critical
Judges Of fine gems. but are also the larg-
est purchasers. 80 far a. diamonds are
concerned, they buy more perfect stones
than do the people Of any country in Eu-
rope European purchasers are more in
clined to be satisfied with the good gen
cral effect Of precious stone, not de-
manding that perfection required here by
the same class Of iuyers- Twenty years
AGO $4,000 wouid have been considered
a large siHn for any family in this coun-
Try 10 have invested in diamonds, while
to-day more than one family holds gems
valued at S50DO09 In 1856 the value of
diamonds and other stones imported into
the United States was 81 ,3ls.6l7, in 1873
it rose to <; ;;47S,757, in 1884 il was 50, l39.-
4G0. and IN 1856 il reached Ss,2J9,747.
From 1866 to 1856, inclusive the total
value of imported diamonds and other
stones can be set down in rough numbers
at S5.OO0000 That fine diamonds hold
their value well has been evidenced by
sales of collections Of gems which were
appraised for inventory more than a cen
tury ago, when stones bought by dealers
to be sold at profit, brought astonishing
Is high prices Regarded simply as
profitable investment, diamonds are a
safe purchase. They are not affected by
political changes OF social disturbance. as
many securities are; and, although in
times Of financial stTingency the owners
of valuable stones may often have been
compelled to dispose of them at a great
saciisce, this has been generally due TO
special circumstances, rather than TO any
depreciation in the value of the gems
themselves
in spite Of the enormous number Of
diamonds which have been thrown upon
the market by the opening Of the South
when fine diamonds were rarer or when
the prices ofperiect gems were stifiening
more .perceptibly; and people who own
this class of stones mas feel assured that
they have made advantageous puochas-
es. To great extent, of course, the laws
Of supply and demand regulate the price
of diamonds, iustas they do that of any
other commodity. s.il, as with all other
lnxuries, the prices are largely a matter of
fancy and are not governed by any COM
mercial schedule or known rule. A great
deal has been said as 10 the immense
number of diamonds which have been
thrown upon the market from the mines
of South Africa, and as TO the means
which have been adopted by the owners
Of these mines TO restrict the output
within the bounds Of legitimate demand,
SO that something like standard value
might be established, while, at the same
time, measures would be taken to prevent
the products of the mines from reaching
the market through illicit channels 1t
should bc remembered, however, that
thousands Of these stones are of an inle-
rior grade. The output of really fine
stones is very limited, The South Afri-
can mines are The chief source of the
worlds supply, and a flnctua:ion in or
lowering OF values of fine gems need not
be feared.
There is nothing the proper purchase
of which calls for more care or judgment
than that of diamonds. There mast. Of
nos.ssiiv. be implicit confidence between
che dealer and the buyer, for few people
who are not experts can detect all the
minufe differences which 90 TO make mp
she fiawless or the imperfect diamond.
American buyers run great risks by pur-
chasing stones in Europe. as these, when
examined afterwards, are likely 10 show
some defect which had not before been
noticed by the purchaser.
New cuttings have lately been introduc-
ed, the proportions of each part being
based upon scieaii6e principles, asd
bringing out a brilliancy and beauty Of
which the same stones xosld not have
been thought capable ten yeaIx age. The
final effectiveness of a true gem is xork
of an 10 which expert knowledge and
skilled handicraft contribute in no less
important degree than the original stone.
BY tise latest improved cutting there is a
great gain, diamond being given about
lone-dfth more brillisncy than by the
old methods. due to z more exact CON-
plllnce with the laws governing reflec-
1ion and refraciion, in proportioning the
spread Of the stone to the depth below
the girdle. TO the heighth above il, and
TO the facetting. Even the polish is a
matter Of careful scrutiny,-unless per
ferfly done marring 10 some extent the
beauty Of The cutting and its resultant
brillianey. Attention Of this character is
however, bestowed only upon stones Of
the highest grade. The business in really
fine gems in this country is confined to 4
few houses. although there are many
dealers in inferior stones.
The combinations of diamonds with
sother gems largely need an eye for effect
IN Arrangement, so as TO give the appear.
-snce of.rsguded harmony and complete
mess seversi American houses that have
devoted themselves to work of this char.
acter have been able 70 produce combi.
nations which in harmony and delicacy
are equal TO any that have come from the
-fomous workshopsof Europe Emeralds
are now sought after, as, in fact, are all
colored stoncs.-rubies and sapphires es.
pecially. Rubies which come from Bur,
nah are scarce, while prices are phenom