VALUE OF DIAMONDS

Inangahua Times, Volume X, Issue 1532, 8 April 1885, Page 2

VALUE OF DIAMONDS

Diamonds have diminished in valoe * of late years since they have been found in South Africa, and the vsJue of other gems has risen in proportion. It is well known that the most splendid pearls in the world belong to Madame. Cnstave d* Rothschild and that the historic rabies ef the Honse of Nassau are ewned bj Madame Nathaniel Madame Eoprussi also has some aiagnU •ent rubies, snh Mrs Mackay has a » enormons one, for which she (Aid £12,000 to Boncheron, ef the Palais . Boyal. . The Dachess of Edinburgh and the Prince de Beam also hare splendid sets ef rabies, and they are the favourite jewel onr day. Of coarse there are sapphires and sapphires ; bat the best are very limpid, and appear to have a great depth of cioring in then. The Branieika family has seme valeable ones, bat the finest known ta be in existence is than given by the ex. Empress Eugenic to the Paris Museum of Natural History, which is worth £4000. Pink and black pearls art in high favor, bat unfortunately it is easy to coler imperfect specimens, though the latter are easily tested by electricity. The revest gem oottes from Siberia, and is called Alexaodrite. In the sun it is like an emerald, bat by artificial light it has an amethyst tint, and gleams with other cole** besides. It is- eqnally becoming by day or night, and is therefore likely to be a great favorite.