406 The Commercial Products of the Sea. 



shell is often of the same size and perfect form with the 

 part which projects beyond the surface of the shell. 



Pearls of this description, but not so perfect at the 

 point of contact with the shell, serve the jeweller equally- 

 well for the purpose of setting as the perfect pearl. Some 

 of those on the shell, and others detached, may be seen in 

 the fine collection of Mr. Beresford Hope at the South 

 Kensington Museum. Mr. Hope possesses the largest 

 known pearl, weighing three ounces, or 1800 grains ; its 

 length is ti^o inches, and its circumference four and a half 

 inches. The drawers and cabinet of pearls of Messrs. Hunt 

 and Roskell, of London, are an attractive sight to inspect. 



The Duke of Abercorn has a wonderfully fine pearl 

 drop. The hea.utifu\ J>arures of pearls of the Countess of 

 Dudley won the admiration of the thousands who visited 

 the London Exhibition of 1872. One necklace alone of 

 singularly fine pearls was valued at ;^30,ooo. Many other 

 remarkable sets of pearl ornaments belonging to the nobility 

 and gentry were also shown there. 



Although fine pearls are for the most part strung pure 

 and simple, requiring nothing to add to their intrinsic value 

 and beauty, yet occasionally the taste and art of the 

 jeweller are called in to combine them into graceful forms 

 of ornament, with the addition of diamonds, for earrings, 

 brooches, coronets, and other head-ornaments. 



Very often, in purchasing job lots and miscellaneous 

 collections of rough pearls, some extraordinary finds are 

 made. Thus, among some apparently of small value from 

 Australia, bought by Messrs. Hunt and Roskell, one was 

 discovered which sold for ;£'8oo ; and several fine large 

 pearls had been destroyed in colour and value from the 

 aborigines having roasted the oysters which contained them. 

 Frequently a very fine pearl will be found attached to the 



