Pearls and the Pearl Fisheries. 407 



mother-of-pearl shells, which the pearl workers purchase 

 at the London sales in bulk. When carefully detached, 

 high prices have thus been frequently obtained. The natives, 

 when the oysters are collected, generally drill a hole in the 

 mother-of-pearl shell, or break it up to get out any real 

 pearls there may be in it ; but occasionally they miss one, 

 and Mr. Wright, a pearl-button manufacturer, states that 

 about 15 years ago a workman in Birmingham found, 

 in one of the shells he was employed upon, a very large 

 and perfectly formed pearl, which he disposed of for 40, 

 and which was afterwards resold for ,200. Small pearls 

 are frequently found in this way, some perfect, and others 

 only of irregular formation. In the instance referred to, 

 the pearl was perfect in form, and of the shape and size of 

 a small damson. 



The jeweller will often split a pearl, which serves for 

 setting solid. The Scotch river pearls are very frequently 

 set with a solid mass of gold. 



The Russian Cabinet, which purchases largely for the 

 Czar, possesses a magnificent and valuable collection of 

 pearls. The late emperor shared with his wife a fancy for 

 choice and fine pearls, and had them sought for all over 

 the world. They had to fulfil two conditions rarely to be 

 met with. They must be perfect spheres, and they must 

 be virgin pearls, for he would buy none that had been 

 worn by others. After 25 years' search, he at last suc- 

 ceeded in presenting his consort with a necklace such as 

 the world had never seen before. The Crown Prince of 

 Prussia presented his bride at her marriage with a splendid 

 necklace, of 36 fine pearls, which excited the envy of 

 many a lady who saw it. This admiration for fine pearls 

 has been a common weakness in all ages and in all 

 countries. 



