Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1899-05-04
SHEPHERDSTOWN W. VA, THURSDAY, MAY A. 1899.
A Wonderful Necklace

What is considered by jewelers. to
be perhaps the most remarkable dia-
mond necklace in the world and tri-
umph of the diamond-setters' art has
Just been completed in this city by
Charles F. Wood & Co., wholesale dia-
mond dealers, of Maiden lane. 1t
is asserted that there is not only not
such another in the world, but that if
an attempt were made 70 duplicate its
perfection it would require fifteen or
twenty years time in which to do so.
1t is not the abnormal size, weight or
number Of stones that constitute this
necklaces peculiar value and beauty,
for there are many necklaces which
excel it in each of these particulars,
but it is the fact that every stone is
gem of the choicest quality and abso-
lutely matches every other one. The
necklace, as it rests in its case, encir-
cles closely a centrepiece, six inches IN
diameter, and the diameter Of the
necklace, at the centre line Of the
stones, is about 81 inches. 1t contains
forty-seven stones, which vary in size
from front to back in perfect gradua-
ton, from diameters cf 7-15 inch with
weights of : carats, to diameters Of
5-I6 inch and weights of p carats.
The necklace is worth at retail be-
tween 1926, 900 and 4l50,00o.
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.
This dealer is in London, and nowhere
else could any one be found through
whose hands enough diamonds would
pass in a generation from which to
make such a collection. The instruc-
tions to the dealer were that every
stone must be Of the grade known in
the trade as a gem, that the color
must be blue-white and each one ca
pable Of being cut into the perfect
form to develop brilliancy and fire.
The collection of the stones was begun
at once, and it was not until six months
ago that the last stone of the lot was
picked out in the rough. Then the
whole lot were sent here, where they
were cut and mounted, Although
there was no requirement that this
should be so, every stone, as 1t hap
pens, came from the same African
mine, and this no doubt helps to give
the evenness of effect which is one Of
the most remarkable traits Of the neck
lace. This is assured also by the cut
ting of the stones, for in each the same
angles are found, with the same num-
Der of facets, the same comparative
s;,os n rirdIa 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 af-
ford, but as the required size graded
down it was not uncommon for stone
that if used separately might have cut
to 81 or 6 carat8 to be cut down to 3
carats. 1t is estim,ted that while the
dealer was gathering the stones in the
rough he handled from s. 100000 to
! SI2OOO,OOO worth Of diamonds from
| this same mine, and that he handled
altogether about $33,OOO,OOO of dia-
monds, all Of which were scanned for
stones for this one necklace.-Ne0
| y1rk Sun.