10 PEARLS [CH. 



of these Conway pearls was given to the queen 

 of Charles II by her chamberlain, Sir Richard 

 Wynn. The specimen is now believed to occupy 

 a place in the British regalia. 



During the whole of the 18th century pearls were 

 somewhat scarce, both the Ceylon and Red Sea 

 fisheries being unproductive. The most plentiful 

 supplies came from the Persian Gulf and from fresh- 

 water shellfish. At this period, however, diamonds 

 became fashionable owing to the discovery of new 

 methods of cutting and preparing them. In spite 

 of this rival, the pearl still continued in favour and 

 by the end of the 19th century it was more sought 

 after and more valuable than ever. 



During this century there were discoveries of 

 pearl banks off" newly settled countries, as for 

 example, Australia, and in this country they became 

 one of the sources of wealth to the colonists. The 

 gi'owing value of the pearl is not due therefore to 

 a decrease in the source of supply but to an ever- 

 increasing demand for a gem which never seems out 

 of place for personal adornment or in any scheme of 

 decoration. 



