Pink Pearls. 277 



the Pearl is composed, which is widely different 

 from the lustre and cellular texture of the coral. 

 In no instance has the coral ever been found to 

 possess the same lines as the pink Pearl. It is true 

 that some Pearls themselves lack this beauty, but 

 they then fall considerably in value. At the present 

 time the pink Pearl is not so much in request as 

 formerly. Some few years back, from 1857 to i860, 

 the supply was not equal to the demand, as may be 

 seen by the following instance : an officer in the 

 1st Life Guards on his marriage, wished to present 

 his bride with a necklace of pink Pearls and diamonds, 

 but Pearls of the first quality could not be obtained, 

 and in order that it might be finished in time, the 

 necklace had to be made up with some inferior 

 pink Pearls. It is the same with these as with all 

 other commodities, excepting specimen-gems, which 

 always fetch their value : according to the supply and 

 demand, so the prices rise and fall. While black 

 Pearls are highly appreciated and eagerly sought 

 after, pink Pearls are now but little in request, and 

 are therefore, not of great value in the market. 



In the " Hope " collection, there was a curious 

 cameo pink Pearl, representing two hands mounted 

 on a gold ring, with a device of forget-me-nots in 

 diamonds. The collection also contained a cream- 

 coloured Pearl, obtained from Polynesia. This was 



