Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-06-22
~ WONDERFUL NECKLACE.
It's Worth $4,000 or More and It Is
the Work of n Dozen Years
Nf,lo =. NJ.

the work OF q Dozen Years
Made in New York
What is considered by jewelers. to be
perhaps the most remarkable diamond
necklace In the world and a triumph OF
the diamond settlers art has lust been
completed in this city by Charles f.
Wood & Co. wholesale diamond deal
ers. OF l Maiden Lane. 1t Is asserted
that there Is not only not such another
in the world, but that IL an attempt
were made to duplicate its perfection, 1t
would require fifteen or twenty years
time in which to do SO. 1t is not the
abnormal size. weight or number of the
stones That constitute this necklaces
peculiar value and beauty, for there
are many necklaces which excel 1t in
each OF these particulars, but 1t is the
TACT that every stone is gem of the
choicest quality and absolutely match
eS every other one. The necklace, as 1t
rests in its case, encircles closely n
centerpiece, six inches in diameter, and
the diameter of the necklace at the
center line of the stones. Is about e..
inches. 1t contains forty-seven stones
which vary in size from front to back
In perfect graduation. from diameters
or 7-16 inch, with weights of carets
to diameters of 5-16 inch and weights
OF 21a carats. The necklace is worth
at retail between Sl25.000 and $500
About twelve years ago the largest
handler of diamonds in the rough in
the world was instructed to begin the
collection of stones for this necklace.
rms dealer is in London, and nowhere
else could any one be found through
whose hands enough diamonds would
pass in n generation from which to
make such n collection. The instructions
10 the dealer were that every stone
must be or the grade known in the
trade as gem, that the color mus
pc blue-white and e. oh one capable of
peinE cut into the perfect form to de-
Veiop brilliancy and fire. The collection
OF the stones was begun at once and IL
was not until six months ago that the
last stone of the lot was picked ont in
the rough. Then tho whole lot was sent
mere. where they were cut and mounted
Hltnough there was no requirement.
mat this should I've so, every stone. as
1t happens. came from the same African
mine, and this no doubt helps to give
them the evenness of effect which is ono
OF the most remarkable traits of the
necklace. This is assured also by the
cutting or the stones. for In each the
same angles arc found, with the same
number OF facets. the same comparative
sizes or girdle and table and heights
from girdle to table and point.
One of the chief expenses in produc-
ing the circlet lay in the cutting of the
gems to the exact sizes REQUIRED, The
larger stones were. of course. all cut TO
the largest size that they would ar
ford, but as the required size graded
DOWN IT was not uncommon for stone
mat if used separately might have cut
10 Sig or cerats to be cut down To :
carats. IT Is estimated that while tho
dealer was gathering the stones in tho
rough he handled from $4,000. 600 To
Sl2oOo,o0o worth OF diamonds from the
same nine. and that he handled alto
gether about $50 900 600 Of diamonds. ali
or which were scanned for stones for
this one necklace.-New York Sun.