The herald., 1895-03-15

worth the gigantic sum of twenty mil
lions. Large South African diamonds
have not the same value as the Brazilian
stones have. An eighty carat. gem is q COM
mon lind in the African mines, but most
OF the large stones discovered there are
yellow in color, which largely depreciates
the value. Still, from its gican ic size
the Pope's diamond will at once take a
foremost, place among the great gems OF
tho world. and TWO thousand years IRON
ten alb ut just as the Koh-i-noor is today
The most valuable cut stone in the
world is the King of Portugal's Brazil
diamond, which weighs 525 carats and
is worth, if genuine, the magnificent sum
OF $2s, 600, 600.
The Koh-i-noor or mountain of light
owned by Queen Victoria, is worth So,
800, 600. This brilliant is 2000 years old.
The Hindoos trace it back to the time of
the god Krischna. 1t was certainly in
the treasury of the Delhi, and was taken
in the conquest of that city by Ala-ed
Din. From him it came into the posses
sioH of the Sultan Baber, of the Mogul
dynasty, in 1896 This prince esteemed
its worth at he sum which it would take
TO maintain the whole world for single
day. The jewel was seen by Tavernier
among the jewels OF Aurengzebe, but it
lad been reduced by the nnskillful cutting
Of Hortensio Borgio from 703 carats to
exhibition OF 1851.
The Emperor AurengZebe not only re-
fused to pay Borgio for the cutting, so in
censed was he at the great loss, but he
Oontiscated all of his property and was
with great difficulty prevented from cut
ting off his head.
Nadir Shah the conqueror OF india
possessed himself of the stone by a trick
then it passed form his descendants into
the possession of Achmed Shah, whose
son, Shah Sujah, was forced, in his turn,
TO give the prize to Runjeet Singh.
After the capture of Lahore at the time
OF the Sikh mntiny, it fell into the hands
Queen Victoria in 1850.
The BRILLIANT had an irregular form,
with several hOllows at the base and at
the sides, and there were several assures
on the surface. Alter great discussion
among scientists the stone was intrusted
to Mr.. Costen of Amsterdam for recuting,
anu the results were marvellous. Little
was lost in size comparatively, and in
stead OF being a lusterless mass little bet
ter than a piece OF rock crystal, it is now
amatchless, tire-fiashing brilliant weigh
ing LOG. l6 carats, and forms valuable
part OF the crown Jewels of England!
One Of the diamond wonders Of the vol Id
is the Orloff, which is set in he scepter
OF the Cars OF Russia. 1t weighs 194A
carats. Like the Koh-i-nool it h s the
under side fiat and is rose cut. The dia-
mpnd is supposed to have formed one OF
the eyes Of an idol in a Braman temple.
IT 10 also said to have been set in the ia
nous peacock throne of Nadir Shah. Be
its origin what it may, it is certain that
it was stolen by Frenchman, who sold
, IL in Malabar for $4,000 pounds. 1t was
purchased by the Armenian Schraffras,
who, in turn, sold it in the year liza to
the Empress Catharine ii of Russia for
100000 Tubles, a pension of 20, 600 roubles
apdsa patent of nobility. Another beauti-
ft,l diamond belonging among the Rus
sian crown jewels is the Shah, which
weighs S. carats and is absolutely perfect,
mass of fire and briliancy. 1t was pre-
sented to the Emperor of Russia by Cos
r0es, the son of Abbas Mira.
Among the other famous diamonds is
the Regent or Pitt diamond, which forms
part of the French crown jewels. Its
weight is 1867 carats, and its estimated
worth today is ~, 900, 600. 1t was bought
BY the Duke Of Orleans, then Regent OF
France, OF Pitt, the Governor OF Fort
George, in the year III, for 1876, DOC
pounds. In the rough the stone weighed
40 carats and the cutting cost 1000
pounds. Pitt published pamphlet, de-
claring that he purchased the stone in
Golconda of Jamelchund, Hindoo mer.
Chant. This diamond was stolen from
the Garde Meuble in 1892, but was mys-
teriously estored. Its final cutting occu.
pied two years and cost $500 pounds.
The Emperor Napolean 1 had it set in