The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-12-29
THE GREAT REGENT DIAMOND.
III Is Worth @l.aoa. 900 and Is the Moss
Beautiful Gem En Existence.

Ii Is Worth @1.eoo.oo0 and Is the Most
Beautiful Gem En Existence.
LBeg II. Hoeper's Paris Letter
This diamond the most beautiful one in
the world, was purchased. As its name de-
notes, By tie Regent Duke Of Orleans dur
ing the minority OF Louis XIV. II is thus
described by the Duke de ST. simon in his
Memoirs: 1t is as large as 3 greengage.
of shape almost perfectly round, of a
thickness IN proportion TO its volume. per-
fectly white. exempt from any speck.
cloud or flaw, OF an admirable water, and
weighing more than 500 grains. The price
paid for il was $4,000. It's value Is now
estimated IS being 81 30 900. In spite of
the large number OF fine diamonds which
have been discovered IN these later years
IL remains the most perfect gem that is
known 10 exist It's first wearer was Louis
XIV. who when still q mere bay caused il
10 be set in q shoulder knot of pearls and
smaller knot of diamonds TO adorn the
fame col0red velvet coat that he wore on
the occasion of his reception of the Turkish
embassy. IL was afterward set in the
crown prepared for that monarch's corona
ton, being placed in the center of the BAN
dean, and so coming directly over ttrS
brow of the king. The Regent was but little
worn during the reign of Louis XVI, as
the fashionable style of ornament consisted
of flowers formed OF small diamonds and
grouped in bouquets or sprays. In such
trinkets the magnificent and massive
Regent could find no place. Marie
Anioinette occasionally wore il. as
weA as the Sancy and the Mazarins,
mounted in temporary setting and fast
ened among an aigrefte of heron's feathers
or Stimulating water drops IN 3 garland or
bouquet of flowers. After passing through
Earious vicissitudes under the republic tit
vas FIRST stolen, next found and returned
to the treasury. and then sold) we fnd 1t
set in the handle of the state sword Of
Napoleon the Great. He wore this splen-
didly ornamented weapon at his marriage
with Marie Louise. IL was supported by a
balsiric in white velvet, covered with rose
diamonds. This sword. or at least the
hilt OF il, was carried Off by Marie Louise
when she lied from Paris She got ~. de
Mensyel. who was one of her attendants,
70 break OF the blade SO that she could
conceal the jewels about her. This he
easily accomplished with the help OF one Of
the andir0ns Of the fireplace IN the EN-.
prsss apartment The Keeent fnuet have
been sent back TO France by the Austrian
government. as we find il figuring in an in
ventory OF the crown jewels drawn up after
the Restoration. After the marriage of
Napoleon III the Messrs. Rapst arranged q
diadem in diamonds of Greek pattern for
the empress, which had niche or socket
in the center in which the Regent could be
set or removed at Will. They also mounted
for her diadem in diamonds of Russian
form, 20 the summit OF which the great
diamond could be attached. She was the
last of the waarers OF the Regent. Ii now
figures in the Gallery of Apollo OF the
Louvre, in the case allotted 70 the last re-
naming relics of the crown.