The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-24
BIC INCREASE
IN IMPORTATION
Of COSTLY GEMS

New York. Sept. a.-Customs officers
OF pearls OF the larger, finer and more
costly grades has greatly increased OF
late. Importers OF Jewelry recently re-
turning from Europe agree that they have
been energetic i'm seeking while abroad
the best specimens obtainable OF the so
called queen Of jewels. Supplies coming
Unexpectedly upon the European market
from new sources aided the American
buy ers and account for some OF the hand
some strings that have been received
here.
Even with the Increase I'm the importa-
tion Of pearls the dealers say the gems
Of superior size and lustre are scarce,
so greatly has the demand increased, and
the prices are higher than ever before.
''rhe prices OF choice gems have at
last got 20 "A point" said a New York
importer, (which is tempting eastern po-
tentates to part with necklaces and
strings which have been heirlooms and
treasured family possessions large
part OF the supplies now reaching New
York comes in this way from people OF
power in the orient who are willing 20
Tart with some OF their wonderful strings
% pearls In return for the prices offered,
this country being the largest buyer.
"But the time will come when even the
Indian rajah and the Chinese mandarne
Will have no more pearls to offer. and
then where shall we get them? The pearl
oyster beds have been so thoroughly
searched that every year the finding OF
choice gems Is more difficult"
After Judge Gray OF the United States
Steel corporation paid duty at 10 per cent
on two large loose pearls which he took
from his pocket at Quarantine recently,
and valued at $50. 900. there was some Gu
rioslty as 10 whether or not he had begun
to make a collection for a necklace.
Last week an expert. who is buying
foe the Judge. according 20 a report in the
jewelry district, visited several houses
which make a speciality Of dealing in
pearls. AT a Fifth avenue store he paid
$4,000 for three pearls. 10 be used, he
explained, In making a necklace.
IL Is learned from the jeweler that since
the Citroen necklace was bought I'm Paris
some weeks ago. for a price approximate
ing s225.00O, by William Il. Leeds, as a
present for his wife. there has been con-
siderable emulation of his example on the
part OF other men who are trying to make
equally beautiful presents 20 their wives.
The more prominent jewelers. are all
making specialtes OF pearl collections,
and In several sales rooms are necklaces
valued at from $15O,OOO 20 S250.000. These
strings are not displayed in the show
cases. but are kept I'm safes, and shown
only 20 visitors who are possible custom
ers.
These costly necklaces are I'm the soft
cream -colored pearls. In the pink charac-
teristic OF some of the Red Sea fisheries.
and also In the silver sheen and other
delicate tints that are admired. In size
the pearls vary from pea 20 birds eggs.
The round shape is used almost entirely
for necklaces. and pea-shaped gems are
much used for pendants.
Since the government began it's suit
TO recover Sll0,S 1876 additional duties on the
pearls brought here by Citroen for Mr.
Leeds, no other complete necklaces have
been imported All pearls are brought
into port. so distributed or mixed. that
there can be no questions as 10 their be-
ing loose pearls on which the duty is 10
per cent