Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-03-10

prints a picture OF the diamond, show
ing its actual size. This was received
from a correspondent In Sotuh Africa
The Circular prosumes that the dla-
mond referred TO Is the one known as
the Jagersfontein Excelsior
1t was picked up by native while
he was loading truck. Although
white overseer was standing near NM
he managed to hide It and keep 1t on
his person for some time. II turned
out. however. that he did not wish 10
steal IT, for he delivered It personally
to the mnnagec. AS a reward he re-
ceived $3.50 and horse and saddle.
The exact weight of the diamond IL
81 ga carats, or about seven ana one
quarter ounces avordupois II there
fore weighs uncut nearly half pound.
A diamond of fair size for Il ring
weighs one carat. The Jagersfontein
Excelsior would be gem worthy OF
the highest efforts OF Tamm1ny pom
ticlan. Worn In his shirt front, II
would make him one OF the most CON
splcuous OF living mortals.
In its present condition 1t measures
three inches in length. one and mar
inches In thickness, two and mar
inches at its greatest breadth ana one
and n third inches at Its least breadth.
II is Of a beautiful blush color and IL
shaped like the broken-off end OF an
The flaw in 1t is believed to be more
| serious than Is stated In the cable as
patch. IT IL a black spot near the mid
| die. II could be cut In two, however 80
MS TO leaye out the hlemish. II would
| then make two OF the largest diamonds
in existence. Al the time of It's as
| covery 1t was valued at $l,0OO,OO0.
The largest cut diamond In the world
| Is the Orloff In the scepter OF the I'm
peror of Russia, weighing 1874 "a ear
ats. II liz cut IN the rose form, win II
fat surface below. According TO one
story II formed the eye Of an lndion
idol and was stolen by French dese ~
| ar In 1879 Count orion bought II for
the Empress Catherine at cost OF
the next largest Is the Pitt diamond,
bought In 1902 by Mr.. Pitt. governor OF
Madras. for 100000. The Duke OF Or
leans. regent Of France, bought u tui
Louis XIV for $650,o0O. IL IL now report
ed 10 be worth twice that sum. ~ the
time OF the revolution II was sent tu
berlin. but reappcared In The hilt Of the
sword of state used by Napoleon l. IL
weighs 1856 "a carats, but originally
weighed 40.
After this comes the Tlorentine, OF
Grand Duke, now IN the possession OF
the Emperor OF Austria. IL Is OF yer
| low Color oDlpHb ~ HH"fNf 49, -. a.
the rose pattern. Its exact weight y
given as 1876 carats Tradition says
Il was lost by Charles the Bold at th'
battle OF Granson and picked up by
Swiss soldier, who sold u Tor lew
pence. , 4,
The Eohinoor. the largest diamond y
the possession OF the British crown, 4
believed 10 be the finest and purest II
existence. II also has the most SIN
guiar history. The Indian legend say
that It was found In one Of the COL
conda mines, near the Kiahna river, ans
was worn 5000 years ago by Karna, on'
az The heroes celebrated "a the Mahab
harata 1t passed through many nandi
10 Baher, founder OF the Mogul dynasty
IN 1926. Tayernier. the French eN
piorer. saw n In 1860,
II Was then 10 the shape OF haif AZ
egg and weighed 2s0 carats. II hh'
been reduced To that weight from
T9s b-s carats by an unAklllful stone
In i7ss II passed to Nadir Shah. III
rersjan invader Of India. who gave !
its name ~ Kohinoor. or mountain o
liaht. In ig49, when the conquest Of IN
pnniab WINS finaily completed. i wa
snrrendered 70 the British. and In ib5
n was presented 10 Queen Vintoria
when ii was shown IN the exhibition
OF isJi In London II weighed ies II