Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-03-10

try has been seriously disturbed
by the large number OF these
gems coming out of Russia, but
now the situation Is reported as
more stable. Some South African
mines that stopped producing to
await a demand for their stones
are at work again.
Crown Jewels on the Market.
That some of the Jewels which
have so affected the International
trade are from the royal collec-
ton there is no doubt. For in
stance, a gem expert in this city,
Mr.. w. c. Shaw. had two snuff
boxes from the royal possessions.
zone OF these snuff boxes"
said Mr.. Shaw, bore portrait
in enamel of the grandfather of
the late czar. This was the car
who was Killed by a bomb while
driving in his carriage not so
many years ago. Around the por-
trait were concentric rings of
diamonds This snuff box was a
gift to the ear and was made in
France. The other box, of Russian
workmanship, was oblong and
made of pure highly chased
gold"
These boxes have gone to swell
the collections of American con-
nisseurs.
Mr.. Shaw explained that while
very little is known Of the fate
of the Russian crown jewels,
agents of the Soviet government
are known to have sold jewels in
Turkey, Holland, and other
places.
"Jewelry of wonderful work.
manship," he said, has been sold
by peasants. in some cases, for
ridiculous prices. A piece that
was worth 100000 has some
times been sold for $50 in the
first trade. Then, as it fell into
the hands OF experts the price
would rapidly reach what might
be called normal level.
"Tne greatest part Of the Jewels
that have come from Russia lately
have gone to London. Many dia-
monds, however, have been sent to
Holland 10 be recut. There does
not seem to have been any fear OF
pieces being identified. There was
no special attempt to have the APP
pearance changed. There was no
need for the methods of a burglar.
in dealing with the property of de-
parted royalty.
Moreover, the artistry of the
Russian settings enhances the va
ue of the gems. The niello work
patterns OF black alleged metal
on white-and the beautiful enam-
cling are too much admired to be
recklessly destroyed.
Stones Being Recut.
pieces have been changed,
rather, because the stones were
what is known as old mine cutting.
Nine-tenths of the diamonds il
old collections. like that of tn,
Russian crown, are old mine cut
ting. That means that they wer
cut by hand, and the facets of a
hand cut stone are neither 50
numerous nor so sharply cut as
those OF a stone cut by modern
machinery. The machine cut
stones with their mathematically
correct facets are far more bril-
liant than these old diamonds. SO
even though cutting involves los
OF about ~ per cent OF a stone til.
old diamonds must be recut befor
they are desirable for the modern
jewelry trade"
Mr.. Shaw explained that tn,
Russian crown jewel coll, ction was
considered the most tasteful coz
lection of royal jewels in the world,
and probably the finest, except in |
pearls.
THE oriental strain which the
Russians inherit from the Tartaf
invaders accounts for the Russia
love for jewels" said Mr.. Shaw
1T Is common trait in peasant
and prince. The Russians Of al,
classes have q way of saving then
money by investing in Jewels, and
the crown collection represented
the greatest expression OF that
russian trait.
In pearls alone the Russian czars
we're not able to surpass other gem
owing monarchs. Oriental rulers /
lave always collected pearls as the |
sem most to be priced; so that the /
,reat value of the worlds pearls is
n the east. The late Rama of |
jholpur, wearing his pearl regalia |
strings upon strings of cleaning, |
palescent pearls -- represented |
100000 in gems, the result of a
aousand years patient collecting |
ussia could not compete with |
is"
The Russian crown Jewels made /
more dazzling show, however,
nan the gem fortunes of any Other
alton. The 1000 pieces in the |
rown collection included golden |
5oblets, innumerable gold plates.
ONE encrusted with gems, chal. |
&c cut from a single great anne
tilyst, jewels of famous orders.
fiaras, coronets, necklaces, and /
thrones, all blazing with the spark
lie of rubies, sapphires, emeralds,
and diamonds were in the remark |
able treasure house.
There were the crowns of the |
cars, notably that worn by Peter |
the Great. This crown was brill |
iantly ornamented with 900 dia-
monds, and had for its piece de re
sistance, a great ruby surmounted
by a cross of diamonds.
The Scepsrc of the Cars.
The imperial sceptre was an
=. sl.sA 4 1T