A CHAPTER ON DIAMONDS. 



# 43 



624,962 guineas ; Tavernier, we have seen, at £468,931 sterling, 

 sonle antliorities wonld reduce tlie estimate still more. The French, 

 for example, value the cut diamond at 200 francs (£8) tlie first 

 carat ; but they do not extend the rule of arithmetical progression 

 in the value of the diamond to beyond 20 carats. Those which 

 exceed that weight are sold at a lower price than they would fetch 

 if such a system were carried out. See the " Manuel du Bijoutier- 

 N Orfevre-Joaillier," par Blondeau. 



Coloured diamonds of a large size are comparatively few in 

 number. The " Maximihan," or Austrian diamond, is of a yellow 

 colour and rose-cut, and has been an heir-loom in the family ever 

 since the emperor of that name. This is the same diam.ond which, 

 in Tavernier's time, belonged to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, and 

 was valued by him at £104,333. Murray values it at £155,682, 

 the Encyclopedia at £109,520. 



" George IV." diamond is of a rich and splendid blue colour, 

 and of great beauty and rarity. It was purchased by his late Maj- 

 esty from Mr. Eliason for £22,000. Its v/eight is stated to be 29^ 

 carats. It has hitherto formed the great ornament in the crown 

 on the day of the coronation, but may be novf fairly replaced by 

 the unrivalled " Mountain of Light." 



It is remarkable, that when the - notorious Blood attempted to 

 steal the regaha from the Tower, on the 9th of May, 1671, no 

 gem of any consequence or value was eventually lost. A chroni- 

 cle of the time says : " A large pearl, a fair diamond, and a num- 

 ber of smaller stones were bulged from the crown in this robus- 

 tious struggle, but both the former, and several of the latter, were 

 picked up and recovered. The Ballais ruby, which had been 

 broken off the sceptre, was found in his accomplice's (Parrot) 

 pocket." 



Perhaps one of the most beautiful coloured diamonds is a rich 

 sky-blue brilliant, belonging to the crown jewels of France. It 

 is stated to weigh 67 2-1 6th carats, and estimated at three mil- 

 lions of francs. There was a fine blue diamond in the possession 

 of the late Mr. Greville. The late Duke of York is also said to 

 have possessed a diamond, almost approaching to jet black, of 

 peculiar beauty and brilliancy, and valued at 8000^. 



So rare are large diamonds, that it has been stated that the 

 number of diamonds of the weight of thirty-six carats and above, 

 known, do not really amount to more than nineteen ; and the en- 



