The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-09-17
In The Imperial Treasury.
Russia Marvellous Jewels Which Few
Foreigners See.

crusted with pearls, rubies. and dia-
monds.
The crown of Peter the Great IS
adorned with 600 diamonds, gurm0unted
by a diamond cross rising from the
centre of an immense uncut ruby,
while that OF the Empress Catherine
| II is bedizened by no fewer than 1855
diamonds and an enormous ruby, pro-
dUcing 4 rainbow OF color dazzling IL
It's briliiancy. The crown OF Michael
Romanoff, the founder of the present
imperial house, is surrounded by 1870
precious stones and surmounted by a
gigantic emerald. The eoronet OF the
present empress Is remarkable chiefly
for the quality Of its jewels, being be-
decked with 100 OF the purest gems
ever brought together IN a single orna-
ment, and is said 10 be unecualled in
the world.
The crown of the present emperor is
dome shaped like a patriarchaI mitre.
It's chief gem is an immense ruby sup
porting a cross of five very large
diamonds, while its base is ablaze with
precious stones. 1t is strange that at
the coronation OF NtChOia II the
crown OF Peter the Great was used, and
when with great dignity and delibera-
ton the ear placed the crown on his
head ii tilted slightly and appeared too
large, an omen readily seized upon by
augurs of evil.
The royal ORD is decorated with
diamonds, set in two bands, encircling
It at right angles. On its upper sur
face is q large sapphire surmOunted by
diamond cross. while TO the orthodox
Russian not the least precious of its
materials is a piece OF the true cross Of
Christ. The imperial sceptre has for
its chief ornament the magnificent gem
known as the Orion diamond, one OF
the largest and most valuable in eX-
istence; and the jewelled collars OF the
order of St. Andrew, the great sword
Of state, the imperial SEAL and the IN
signals OF innumerable orders blink
their animation in vari-colored lights.
The ancient practice of presenting
bread and salt to the ear as a sign OF
submission and fealty Is sttll a ceHe-
monious function at each coronation.
ENJOYS from Khiva. Bokhara, Samar-
kand, and faraway Yakutsk have Of
fered their allegiance TO recent cZars
on plates Of pure gold, to which has
sometimes been added, as a constituent
part, salt cellar OF rare design. At
least LOCO of these plates with their
accompanying salt cellars are arranged
as plaques on the walls or hidden in
recesses by priceless tapestry. Many
peror's initials IN gems.
The gold plate used at the imperial
banquets is truly regal. It's value is
enormous owing TO its abundance, the
elegance of its design, its choice work.
manship, and the quality of its ma
terial.
The bejewelled dresses Of former en-
presses OF Russia are carefully pre-
served, that Of Catherine II being so
Il, .
needed twelve chamberlainS to support
its train. The wedding dress OF the
present empress is imperial in texture
and price, costing no less than 940,-
600.
In another room are a huge goblet
cut out OF a single enormous amethyst.
with a hunting scene chased over its
entire surface, and coronation presents
OF fabulous value from the east and
west, from emperors, kings, and
princes, as well as from many NUM-
cipalities and millionaires.