The Savannah morning news., 1901-11-09
FASHIONS IN GEMS.
In the Race for Popularity Dia-
monds Still First-Other Leading
EaN0rifRS.
From the London Mail.


From the London Mail.
London is the gem market of the
world, and both rough and cut stones
of all shapes, sizes, and colors flow to
the metropolis in steady stream.
Pearls have been the rage for the last
few years, and their value has adj
vanced amazingly. On account of this
mania, some few people believe that
these tears of angels" have reached
their highest value; but experts in this
line maintain that pearls bought to-day
will prove a good investment, basing
their supposition on the fact that the
demand, which is daily growing, Is
greater than the supply.
The idea that any one can instantly
buy anything desired in pearls is soon
thrown aside when the search COM
mences. 1t often takes years to collect
perfectly matched pearls for neck
lace, and this necessarily adds to their
commercial value. Pearls of the great
est value have purity of color and
smoothness of satin, with an iridescent
sheen that can never be initiated,
which shows up in the colored as well
as in the white gem. A pretty custom
among mothers of means is to present
the girl baby at it's birth with one
pearl. and on each birthday thereafter
another to match; then on her wedding
day to complete the necklace with the
requisite number. The godmother who
can afford it often takes this pretty
attention upon herself, allowing the
bridegroom to supply the clasp to COM
plete the circlet.
While white pearls are first in favor,
the colored ones also come in for a good
Of Ill
ranking highest in value. The beauti-
full green coloring peculiar to the black
pearl, together with its wonderful lus-
tire and iridescent effect, makes it a
gem much sought after
Diamonds are also in demand and
are far and away the most popular
precious stones we have. The general
public like a glttering effect and it is
surprising how few are acquainted
with the many grades regulating the
price of this much-used gem. AS an
instance, cut diamonds, say, one karat
in weight. can be purchased from e5
to ESQ, which gives some idea of the
many qualities in the market.
During the last few years many lia-
monds have been cut in marquise
shape, that is to say. long and pointed
at both ends. At first sight this APP
pears a great sacrifice of material, but
only stones in the rough whose shapes
lend themselves to the style are treat
ed in this way
During the past four or five years
diamonds of all grades have increased
in value from 40 to so per cent. Wheth-
or this can be attributed 10 either the
increased demand. or smaller output
upon he war in South Afri-
ca is a disputed point.
In colored stones the ruby undOubt-
eddy ranks first In value, the finest coll
orlng being llkened TO arterial blood.
from whence II gets the name of pig
cons blood" this being the orthodox
ruby hue. While large quantities of
rubies are regularly sold, fine speei-
mems are very rare. and II Is not un-
usual for fine stones Of from two 10
three kar0ts 10 change hands for Gi,000
or more. The finest rubies are found
va Burma.
Emeraids are rarely free from flaws.
even IN the small stones, and rank next