The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-08-20
BUYING DIAMONDS.
A STORY OF HOW WOMEN CONDUCT
THE TRANSACTION.

Price on = Gem-Dssiers Stand by Each
OtherIn That Respect-Error Regarding
the Standard Value Of Diamonds.
To the private office of a prominent
jeweler yesterday entered a middle aged
woman, richly caparisoned in flounce
and furbelow, and evidently forming
part Of the dough that makes the upper
crust. She held in one hand diamond
earring. The jewel was large and bril-
liant. With entire GOODNESS Of demeanor
she said: II lost the mate to this. Will
you be kind enough to tell me what it
will cost to get another exactly like it2"
The jeweler eyed her keenly and then
said, MADAM, where did you lose your
earring?"
The effect Of this simple question
upon the woman was surprising. She
was evidently unprepared for the query.
and there was certainly something in it
that disturbed her. ut makes no differ
ence where lost 1t" she answered in q
decidedly sharp tone. "What will it
cost me to obtain another exactly like
thisp" and she held up the sparkling
stone.
"Did you advertise for the one you
lost, madam" persisted the jeweler
blandly.
"What has that got to do with the
matter9" she replied in an angry tone.
well. madam" was the smiling re-
ply, eff you advertise for the earring
which you lost. you might recover 1t,
and then you would not be placed under
the necessity Of ascertaining what it
would cost to replace it. Advertise first.
madam, and if you do not recover the
jewel come in again and will answer
your questions Saying this the dia-
mond dealer politely bowed the now
fretting and Tuning woman to the door.
why will women lie in such small
AFFAIRS" said the jeweler YEARLY, land
why will nearly every purchaser of
diamond look upon the merchant with
whom he or she deals as rascal? That
woman hasn't lost an earring. She has
purchased pair, perhaps on trial, and
she will go to nearly every jeweler in
town with that petty lie and endeavor
to get price upon that stone. It is one
Of the finest of diamonds and evidently
came from one of our leading dealers,
whom she insists on believing is engaged
In q scheme to rob her The chances are
that she will eventually get in the hands
of some inscriptions merchant, whom
she can find even in big stores. He will
tell her that the stone is off color
and contains flaw. He will show her
q poor diamond Of the same size as the
other. and fix upon 1t price which he |
knows is less than the fine brilliant |
could be sold for. The result will be that |
madam will send her fine brilliant back !
in rage and buy the inferior stone for
twice what it is worth. This evil has
grown to such an extent that it is some
times impossible to detect the fraudu-
lent character Of the stories brought US
They are all very ingenious. As re-
suit, big houses, except in rare cases, re-
fuse to place prices upon jewels brought
to them"
The jeweler continued: "People have
the queerest notions about diamonds and
other jewels, and some Of them give us
much trouble. The most general delu-
sion is that diamonds have standard
value just as arbitrarily fixed as that Of
double eagle You will frequently hear
people say, 1t is an excellent invest
ment to place your money in fine dia-
monds, for they are worth just so much
carat, and you can always sell them
for just what you paid for them. My
lady buys handsome brooch for $500,
and after wearing it year Or two en-
deavors to sell it to her jeweler, or, per-
haps, to his rival She is offered 5000
for it. She then throws up her hands
and lifts up her voice and protests that
she has been swindled. What nonsense
is all this With diamonds, as with 9TH
er merchandise, stone is worth exactly
what it will bring. We're it otherwise
there could be no profit in diamond deal
ing. How could I make money in selling
double eagles when I would have to pay
$40 for them and could not sell them
for penny more?
Here is very fine Indian brilliant
upon my finger. bought it at forced !
sale and paid nearly $500 for it. Yes
terday was offered $1,000 for it. but I
would not sell because I am in love with
the stone. Yet l cannot say that the
stone is worth $1,000. Tt was worth it
1T the time that sum was offered for it
~ one who wanted 1t, but if I were
to sell it next week at "a
hours notice I might not get 5000 for
Z. Why should woman expect to wear
. brooch for two years and then obtain
or it the same money she paid for it3
LAST week bought new carriage and
,aid 1900 for it. I said to friend,
Come and take an $500 drive with me-
lie looked at me as if he thought me in
ane. I mean it, said. There is car
iage that cost me 81, 800. We will drive
n it through the park. Tomorrow will
ot be able to obtain 81. 900 for it.. With
ewelry it is much the same way. -
hi lad a1nhia Timoo