The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-10-27
WONDERFUL JEWELS
OF INDIAN RAJAHS.
Priceless Treasures which Gold Can.
not Buy Worn by These Descend
ants of Great Oriental
Chieft0ins.
WRITTEN FoR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC.

WRITTEN o II SUNDAY REPUBLIC.
Some things there are In this world the
potential American dollar cannot buy ana
which even the influence of European roy
atty is powerless to win. Among them are
the priceless sets Of jewels belonging to the
Raiahs OF India. Many OF these Princes OF
the East have sets of gems which represent
q value unheard Of outside the Orient and
beside which the most famous collections OF
the crowned heads Of Europe or OF the
families Of our American millionaires sink
into insigniacance.
1t is not likely that a white man will ever
wear these treasures unless they come 10
him as the spells of war. 1t is against the
most sacred traditions of the Rajahs to part
with their family herilooms. Fabulous prices
have been offered them for single Jewels or
ornaments out of their vast supplies. But
gold has no power to tempt them where
their Jewels are concerned.
The pearls and diamonds belonging to the
.Rajah Of Dholpur rank first among all these
collections. They form the most val
liable set of jewels in existence. a million
dollars was recently offered to the Ra1ah
for a single string Of large pearls. The
offer was refused. Each of these pearls is
said TO DO absolutely without a flaw. OF
perfect purity and iuster.
Every jewel in twelve great ropes OF
pearls, which are worn pendant from this
necklace, is worth n small fortune in 1t
self. -Four ropes worn across the iett
shoulder contain Jewels which. though
small in comparison with their companions.
are really of good size and great value.
Diamonds are interspersed with pearls in
the demonstrations OF the helmet, which is
literally covered with gems. 1t Is Impossible
TO even approximate the total value OF TINS
wonderful heirloom of the Rajahs OF Dhol-
pur. 1t is priceless.
Far less snowy. but scarcely Inferior IN
value. is the family Inheritance Of the
Rajah of Gwalior. His Is a wealth of m
eralds.
Three bands Of immense stones which.
interspersed with numerous smaller ones.
form a broad collar over the chest anu
shoulders are native cut. Nor Will their
owner consider the suggestion that they be
recut with modern skill and methods. What
they might gain in brilliancy by the opera
ton would be more than offset in his mind
by what they would lose in size. The value
of each of the large stones ia about $4,000.
Strips Of gold embroidery upon the robes
of this Indian Prince are set with many
emeraids Of a smaller size. Epaulets. which
hang from the shoulders down over the
arms, are incrusted with extraordinarily
large stones surrounded with pearls.
A collar-ur one might at most call 1t
cape-worn by the Rajah of Baroda ts a
mass of diamonds and various precious
stones. combined in rich and wonderful con-
luSlDE. lie Coioi d8iu AihAhhN
nament can better be imagined than de-
scribed.
The lighter stones are set off by borders
of the darker emeralds. those forming a
fringe around the lower edge being OIL I'M
mense size and value. Scarcely less Deauu-
full is a tassel Of pearls which hangs from
the lef:-hand side of this Rajah's turoan.
Each string in this tassel represents a Tor
tune. In each the pearls have been care
fully graded as to size. and each is tipped
with a pompon of SILK A cap OF 1eweis
-hich covers the Rajah's silk turban is a
mass of various gems to match his conan.
The edge is formed of great diamond pend
ants.
Five great ropes of pearls. priceless in
value. constitute the chief treasure Of the
Rajah of Nizam. A single pearl from these
might well make its owner an object OF
envy. Among the pearls here and there.
are strung other gems. the better to dis
play their beauty. After his pearls the
Rajah prizes most nine large diamonds
which hang from his gold coronet. The In
the center, particularly. Is Of great size and
beauty. -
TO which the Rajah OF Punnah has put the
thousands of pearls gathered by generations
of his ancestors. He has used them to en-
broider his robes Of state. Over the Shout
ders, down the sleeves and around the edges
of the robe the pearls have been woven with
Six anu ROlQ lUlO 0ea1liA0l duu EAC
designs
On the turban. from an ornament OF gold
and pearls, drop four double strings OF
pearls, each graded In size to form a point
al the tips. The base Of this ornament is
formed by an Immense diamond surrounded
with pearls. The necklace Is OF pearls and
darker gems. Beneath are two bands Of
small b%rilliants. fastened together at inter-
walls with large rubies. Eighteen diamonds
ARE set in q buckle which fastens the scarf
worn over the right shoulder: The brace
I let's are Of naffya cuf Qm0rQldaL and these
stones also are set in the gold hilt OF the
sword.
Tho Jewel cape Of the Maharajah Of Idah-
pore consists Of three rows Of large pearls
and emeralds ~alternated. From every pearl
in the last row drops a pear-shaped emerald.
forming q fringe. Outside of this Is worn
a double rope OF pearls. fastened together
here and there with other emeralds. A ru-
by ornament hangs from this rope. On one
side Of the turban is a cluster Of rubies.
emeralds and pearls On the other 10 a
photograph, Of whom 1t IL not known. sur
rounded BY. pearls. Seven rows Of pearls
are twined about the neck.