Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-12
COSTLY, JEwELED PURSES.
Monumental Prices Asked for Trifes
in the Goldsmfth's Art,

III the "OlOsmltn'S Art.
"The style in ladies' purses" said
clerk in fashionable jewelers. to Star
reporter, land by that 1 mean ladies who
can afford such luxuries, is extravagant
now. 1t is of gold and Jewels, and gold and
jewels, combination ever dear to the fem
mime heart. are possessed only by those
whose bank balances are ample and elestic
Here is the most expensive purse we
have. Its price is 1928. Quite a difference,
is there not. between this little money
holder and an S3-cent, reduced, solid ster-
ling silver mounting bargain in leather
You observe that 1t Is the old style of
closely woven chain link, semi-circular
clasp purse, with a delicate chain handle,
OF style In vogue in the days of hoops and
flowing skirts, only then they were made
OF steel. The front of the clasp is set in
diamonds. amethysts, garnets and sap
phires. The matriz turquoise. cut in the
fashionable charbonneaux, round carbuncle
form, Is very popular in this class of Jew
elry. The setting Is often matter of
choice with the fair wearer. Do We sell
many at this price? Certainly, and In the
daintily goved hand of a fine lady 1t is
an exquisite ornament
Here is one a little less-only $50 1t is
perfectly plain. closely knit chain purse
of solid gold. Even this ought to satisfy
any woman except the most exacting so
eiety beauty. They are so expensive for
two reasons: First, they are of solid gold
set In jewels-we will make you up one
for 500 or more If you wish half-carat or
larger stones; and, second, because each
Of these tiny links of fine gold is made by
hand and so!dered by girls in the factory.
Yes, magnifying glass is necessary to
detect where they are Joined together
1.-THE square or round leather purse with
raised silver initial monogram is the IA
vorite in the leather goods. I wish I had
a patent on that style. Women. having no
pockets, or, having pockets. not knowing
what to do with them, must necessarily
carry their money in purses held in the
hand. Men stuff their bills in their pock-
cts. The folding style Of pocket book for
mems wear viii never go out of fashion.
and the only difference will be in the modi-
fication of the shape-long, short. or wide
or narrow.
to the probable future cost of diamonds.
l think the estimate was too conservative
on strictly high-class grades. The general
public do not see 'blue-white' stones. The
kind they buy are what are known to us in
the trade as pure white stones. Pur-
chasers think, and are often told by deal
erS, that they are getting 'blue-white
stones. We sell as many as any dealer in
Washington, and we do not display in our
trays 'blue-white' diamonds at all. They
are kept in the safe and are exhibited and
sold on request This grade Of stone is
worth today 500 and upward a carat The
probable future stringency in the diamond
market may have tendency to retire this
grade from general sale. as the price will
be all but prohibtory. The pure white
diamond, however. can always be had in
quantities. 1 have seen 'blue-white' stone
worth 81 800 carat. 1 have heard of one
valued at 5000 carat. This beautifully
perfect diamond was used for Judging pur-
poses-that is, an expert used it as top
notcher to determine the color of other
diamonds he bought and sold
IA few months hence. If the diamond
market does not ease up. an engagement
ring will be accompanied by magnifying
glass, or he may be compelled to give her
his 1 u. Do you think she would take
the o U as readily and with as much
grace as the ring?"