290 Pearls. 



day this shape would considerably detract from its 

 value. It is believed that one of these is the Pearl 

 which is known in modern times to have been in 

 possession of Fateh Ali Shah. 



The Auriingzeb Pearl, 1650. 



The only jewel ever purchased by Aurungzeb, 

 the great Mogul, who affected a pious contempt 

 for all such pomps and vanities, was a perfect round 

 Pearl, weighing 127^ grains. No value is given to 

 this fine Pearl, but it is related, with reference to 

 other Pearls, that there were in India certain persons 

 who would give higher prices than could be obtained 

 from Aurungzeb. 



The Conway Pearl, 1662. 



History has recorded that Sir Richard Wynn, 

 of Gwydir, who was chamberlain to Catherine of 

 Braganza, the Queen of Charles II., presented to her 

 Majesty a Pearl of unusual beauty and magnitude, 

 which had been found in the river Conway, in North 

 Wales. This Pearl is said to be still preserved in 

 the Imperial State Crown. It is recorded that the 

 Pearl was accidentally found by a lady who care- 

 lessly opened a mussel which she happened to 

 pick up, without the slightest expectation of its 

 disclosing a Pearl ; it was probably derived from 



