Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-07-06
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 STORY OF A GREAT DIAMOND.

One of the most beautiful diamonds in the world is the Regent. It belongs to France. Besides its dimensions, which are considerable, it unites vari. ous qualities which further augment its value. When rough it weighed 40 carats. It's present weight is only 136 carats. Its cutting, which is of great excellence. required two years of work. It was valued in 1791 at 12,000,000 francs. This diamond was purchased in the rough state by the grandfather of William Pitt for 312,0O0 francs. The Duke of Orleans. then regent of France, acquired it in TIT for the sum of 3,375,000 francs.
 According to St simon, who gives an interesting recital of the purchase of the stone. there is quite different yer sion from that ordinarily accepted:
 Through an extremely rare oppor- tunity an employe in the diamond mines of the Grand Mogul was able to extract one of very large size. He found means of embarking and reach ing Europe with his diamond. He took it to England. where the king ad- mired it. without, however. deciding to buy it. A model of glass was made in England and the man was sent with the diamond and model to Law, who The price frightened the regent, who refused to buy it.
 'The state of the finances was an obstacle on which the regent insisted. He feared incurring censure for so large purchase. while there was trou- ble in providing for the most pressing necessities and many people were left in suffering.
 ''I applauded this sentiment. but said to him that it was not suitable to exercise the same economy for the greatest king of Europe as for a pri- vate individuals: that the honor of the crown should be considered and the opportunity of procuring diamond which would eclipse all others in Flu rope should not be lost. I did not leave the Duke of Orleans until I had obtained the promise that the diamond should be purchased. Law. before speaking to me. had represented to the possessor of the diamond that t would he impossible to procure the sum that he had hoped for. and the loss that would be occasioned by breaking if up into pieces. So that the price had been reduced to cocoon francs. including the scraps that would come from the cutting. The bargain was concluded in this wsS The inter. est of aOOo.0OO francs was paid until the whole amount could he raised. and in the meantime 2.O0G.O0O francs in precious stones was hypothecated.-
 In the celebrated robbery at the Gartie MeubIe. in i7g2. this stone WAS stolen and concealed behind q root timber of barn As q result of a proclamation it was recovered by q municipal officer named Sergent-
 The Regent was the most beautiful jewel in the coronation crown of King Louis NV. Later. il was heId by Van IeTiserghe. a banker as a pledge foI his adtances. A historian of the time. states that the wife of the banker tooE the opportunity of wearing # while il was in her husbands possession
 The first consul in his turn ple1zei the Regent to the Bafavian govern uent to urocure the funds which ver. lacking after the 18th BrurnairesI I-stei he ornamented his AusterIirz swors with the celebrated diamond which in the words of vsfOut. might vel have dispensed with the ornament- Jevelers Circuixr-Weekly-