Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-07-25
PRICE
Of Precious Stones.
EmeraIds Have Made
Sensational Advance.
Big Range In Valuation
of Pearls.
Yield of These Gems Has Been
Small.
Unless Production Increases levels
Will Come High.

Occasionally changes of fashion in
gems affect for the time being the IN
tcrest with which they are regarded.
Pearls at present are high in the pub
lies favor and the price is steadily ad-
vancing; not alone, however from the
increasing demand, but also because OF
the difficulty dealers find in procuring
them. Oriental pearls from the Indian
Ocean are every day becoming scarcer.
The Fisheries are practically exhausted
and. unless the project now in motion
to plant deeper beds shall prove sue
cessful. the gems shall continue to rise
in value Perfectly rounded speci-
mems of fine luster and opalescent tint
command from $500 TO $1,000 There
is hardly another precious stone that
varies so greatly in quality as the
pearl, it's range in price being from so
to $l25 Il grain.
Pcar-shaped pearls, representing
peculiar type, are very valuable, and
this fact is now accentuated by new
way of wearing them. A large proper
tion of these oblong gems are used TO
make up as danglers TO hang in front
of the stock collars so generally worn
by women. They have at their small
ends little pointed caps filled with rose
diamonds. The cap proper is made OF
platinum. The delicate chain from
which the dangler is suspended is also
of platinum, and simply serves as
thread from which the gems may be
suspended. When about the neck this
small chain invariably drops below the
collar, and is invisible, while the
weight of the pearls saves them from
sinking into obscurity, and they remain
persistently in place, dangling just be-
low the chin. Pear-shaped black pearls
are particularly smart when worn in
this way. If sufficiently large. one
alone Is effective; when moderate in
size. the usual custom is to wear three,
Sometimes an original soul will take
pleasure in displaying a dangler of
most unique design. Such Il one that
was recently seen was made up of "A
perfectly round and exquisite pearl sur
mounted by tiny elephant composed
of rose diamonds and set iii pla tinuln.
The whole thing was less than an inch
in circumference. Many peridots,
aqua marines, topa2es and other semi
precious stones are made into these
neck danglers. Naturally ttey are
much less costly than the pearls, but
when tas,efuliy mounted are full OF
charm. 4
During rhe last year the yield of ir
regularly shaped pearls found in the
fresh waters of .he Ohio, Tennessee
and Michigan rivers has been Very
small. A few blistels, however, OF no
table. size and beauty have becI
brought 20 light They are utilized by
setting them in handsome brooches,
buckles, vinaigrette ana purse tops, |
usually with an outline of small dia-
monds. These peculiar formations are
caused by some foreign substance get
ting under the skin of the oyster shell |
and Irritating ii to such an extent that |
II raises a blister. In this connection |
1t is interesting TO know that the Chin
ese have been making experiments |
with the aim of causing the formation
of pearls. As related, their idea is to
feed to the oyster a substance contain
ing a stuff similar to grains of sand.
This it is hoped, will form lodgment |
in the oyster and then annoy it TO
such an extent that il will seek relief |
in throwing over the obnoxious intru-
der successive coats Of matter. How
far this ingenious venture may sue
ceed is still "A matter of speculation.
As with Burma rubes. which are no
longer found, the Oriental pearl will
continue to pass from hand TO hand
even after the beds are exhausted.
Changes in circumstances are constant
ly forcing the original owners to part
with them and thus keep these jewels
in circulation.