Morning journal and courier., 1890-03-01
PEARLS OF GREAT PRICE.

PEARLS OF GREAT PRICE.
 where the Dainty Gems are Obtained
 and How They are Prepared fer
 Use.
 [Correspondence of the Gentleman's Magazine.l
 Pearls have been rising in value in the Eu- ropean market 50 long, and threaten to rise 50 steadily, that they may soon become the costliest, as they have long been the most el- egant, ornaments of a beautiful woman. Many jewel is fifty times as effective; tte ruby is richer in color; the diamond is brighter; gold and silver are more plastic. The pearl has but its mild satin skin, like an angels shoulder; it's rounded curves; yet fits shy, moony luster seems to have more per manent hold over dainty fancy than m e more vivid and more robust mate
 True, it is mere carbonate of lime; true
 globing form comes but from the sickness an invertebrate; it's colors are drawn nf from the living fish, but from its putrescenc' after death. An ornament that owes its e1. istence to nothing but disease and decay csr- tainiy draws little from sentiment. in spite of their grim origin, necklet of fine pearls remains far more refined and dainty orna- ment than one of brilliants. We should naturally deck Aspasia with diamonds, but Polyxena with pearls (though, no doubt, it ought to be the other way.) Perhaps one reason is the presence in pearls of beauty without brilliancy.
 "Only the star glitters," said Emerson, 'tthe planet has g faint moonlike ray" Enormous sums have been given for pearls in all ages, because they were go beloved. Cleopatra would have swallowed a diamond had not pearl been costlier, arch snobbees as she was! and the "pearl of great price" hoo hoav, o fo~ <ba possession from time immemorial. A whole fleet of boats is kept up to visit the pearl banks in the oriental seas, and the banks have to be guarded and kept in order by the company between 'ths seasons." The diver who fetehes up the parent mollusk has no easy time. He Is highly trained to his work and works hard, diving with his life in his hand; for sharks abound in the pearl seas. Forty to fifty plunges day are very com- mon, five diving at a time relieved by five more, who can retain their breath for several minutes-the average is one minute and half-and bring up one hundred oysters 1t each plunge. The boats, when full, must be- completely unloaded before nightfall; if not. the dead oyster might open and drop pearls before it was stacked. Then comes the stacking in pits, as high as rooms wall sometimes-and glad am that do not live to wtndward of an oyster stack! The stacks are sold by auction, the buyer taking his chance whether any pearls are in the oysters he so buys. He may spend his all upon @ stack and not get 8 single pearl. He may find "pearl of great price" and recoup all former losses.
 When found the pearl has to be polished with pearl dust, process which does not in. jure the opalescent surface derived from the decay of the fish. It is drilled by the blacks and strung with others with great dispatch and skill. The pearls are next sorted, those olearest in color and roundest in shape being preferred. Then they come to be get, and the setter is paid one shilling per pearl for his work. The largest sum known to have been given for single pearl is said to have It was oval, spotless. two inches long, and it's price was e110,000. A very fine British pearl that has found resting place in the crown of England came from the Conway.