New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-24

Jewelry and precious stones. In this respect
Greater New-YOrk occupies position at once
so conspicuous and important that the general
tone OF the whole trade can readily be ascer-
tanned without going outside the confines OF the
metropolis III Is here that some of the largest
and richest wholesale and retail jewelry estab-
Ilshments in the country may be found
From Maiden Lane, which liz the magic name
capable OF conjuring up fancies of untold wealth
ana value as regards anything pertaining to
gold and silver, to Harlem there are hundreds
OF retail stores which possess all Of the attrac-
tons so dear to the lovers OF personal adOrn.
ment Ii might be said that the jewelry trade
from the retail standpoint is confined within two
separate and distinct districts: one in Maiden
Lane, and the other in that section of Broad
way which extends from Fourteenth ST. to Thir.
ty-frst-st. 1t is within these confines that the
jewelry, diamond and precious stone business
fourishes. The different leading houses en-
gagged in supplying the demands Of the Ameri-
can public contain the fullest and most COM
pete stocks From the smallest and most in
expensive ornament to the large pieces Of silver
ware for table and other decoration there is to
be found an assortment to choose from in the
New-YOrk retail store such as Is not offered in
any other city on this side of the water There
Is no way OF correctly estimating the amount
OF capital invested in the jewery business or
the annual business done. 1t is In the millions
and millions. The import trade alone is of large
proportions, to say nothing Of the domestic
manufacture which has been growing at a re-
markable rate of late. For the first nine months
of the present year there were rough or uncut
diamonds imported to the value Of xl-5S2. ;O0.
diamonds not set, but dutiable, x3,642.G20; other
precious stones, free. so. 1I5 precious stones
and imitation, $1,06S, 600; jewelry and manu-
features OF gold and silver. 81 POI $40. These
came from the United Kingdom, France, Ger
many Netherlands. British North America,
Mexico and the Cast Indies.
AS compared with the same period In 1897,
these figures show gratifying increase. Inn
porters and the officials of the Appraisers De-
ariment of the Port OF New-York state that
The revision of the tariff the imports OF
precious stones has had the effect OF doing away
with the large amount OF smuggling which was
carried under the old system OF high tartn.
1t would surprise the great majority OF Amert-
to know just the full extent 10 Whlcn
smuggling had been resorted to. According to
the statement of one of the appraisers Of the
port. il very difficult to detect these ille-
Ultimate operations The duty being high, IL
was profitable for importers and others in the
precious stone business to get the stones
through without the duty Although a large
IL is said that the money made on the stones
which were successfully smugged In more than
Offset the loss on those which were cOnfiscated!
Wholesale jewellers reported that business all
through the West has been good. while 1.-The roc
tailers OF the city announce that the return OF
prosperity is shown In the increasing purchases
made by the public 49, 49, ',' 49, ..,s-sf. }