Six Famous Diamonds

Large diamonds, like first-class pictures, have a European valuation; because they are few in number, are not susceptible of reproduction, are everywhere prized, and can be bought only by the very wealthy.

Only six large diamonds, called paragons, are known, the largest of which, the "Grand Mogul," is in the possession of the Shah of Persia, weighing, after being cut, 280 carats. Next in size follows the "Orloff" diamond, named from Count Orloff, who bought it in 1772 for the Empress Catharine of Russia. It was once the eye of an idol in India. A Frenchman, who happened to see it, made a glass one like it, and, watching his chance, put it in the place of the diamond, with which he ran away.

He sold the diamond to the captain of a ship for $10,000: the captain took it to Europe, and sold it for $100,000. At last it came into the hands of a diamond-merchant, who sold it to Count Orloff for $450,000 in money, and a yearly payment during his life of $20,000. The empress also conferred upon the merchant a title of nobility. This stone, rose-cut, is shaped like half a pigeon's egg, and weighs 195 carats. It adorns the point of the sceptre of the Emperor of Russia.

The "Regent," or "Pitt Diamond," one of the French crown-jewels, is the next in size. It was found in India, and is sometimes called the "Pitt" diamond from Mr. Pitt, Governor of Madras, India, who bought it in 1702 for $100,000. It gets its name "Regent" from the fact that the Duke of Orleans, acting as regent for Louis XV. of France, bought it for him at a cost of $650,000. It is said to be worth twice that sum now, and is accounted the most perfect brilliant-cut diamond in the world. The time occupied in cutting it was two years, during which time diamond powder to the value of pound 850 was used.

The "Florentine" or "Austrian" diamond, the fourth in size, weighs 139 carats.

This was one of the three great diamonds belonging to Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, and lost by him at the battle of Granson in 1476. It was found by a Swiss peasant, who sold it to a priest for half a crown. The priest sold it for pound 200 to Bartholomew May of Berne. It subsequently came into the hands of Pope Julius II., and the Pope gave it to the Emperor of Austria.

The "Star of the South," next in size, was found by a negro in Brazil in 1853. After it had been cut at Amsterdam, it was bought by the Earl of Dudley, whence it is known also as the "Dudley" diamond. It weighed 254 1/2 carats when found: after cutting, its weight was 126 carats.

The English "Kohinoor" ("Mountain of Light") has attached to it quite a romantic history. It was found in the mines of Golconda, how many ages ago no one can tell; but the Hindoos, who are fond of high numbers, say that it belonged to Kama, King of Anga, three thousand years ago. Viewed within more moderate limits, this diamond is said to have been stolen from one of the kings of Golconda by a treacherous general named Minizola, and by him presented to the Great Mogul, Shah Jehan, father of Aurung-Zebe, about the year 1640.

It was then in a rough state, and weighed, it is said, 800 carats, but was reduced to 279 carats by the awkwardness of the cutter. When Tavernier, the French traveller, was in India about two hundred years ago, he saw the "Kohinoor," and on his return told of the immense wonderment and admiration with which it was regarded in that country.

After his time the treasure changed hands frequently among the princes of India, generally through fraud or violence.

Early in the present century its possessor was the Khan of Cabul, from whom it was treacherously obtained by a slave, and passed into the possession of Runjeet Singh, thence to his successors on the throne of Lahore, India. When Punjaub was conquered by the English in 1850, the "Kohinoor" was included among the spoils; and on the 6th of April, 1850, the "Kohinoor" left India, to pass into the hands of Victoria, Queen of England, and who has been lately made Empress of India.

Col. Mackesan and Capt. Ramsey were intrusted to convey it to England in the "Media," as a present from the East-India Company. The court jeweller was employed to recut it, to increase its brilliancy; and as a mark of honor the Duke of Wellington was allowed to give the first touch to the work. It now weighs only 106 carats, but is regarded as far more dazzling and beautiful than at any previous time in its history.

While in size and weight it ranks the sixth diamond, in value it ranks as the highest in the world, its present valuation being $2,000,000.

Diamonds are generally considered the most precious of all stones, but this is a mistake.

A fine ruby of one carat is worth $450; a sapphire, $300; a diamond, $150.

Diamonds are, however, of more value for their use in art, since only a diamond can cut a diamond.

The Amsterdam firm of J. Metz is now busy with the erection of a special workshop, in which the cutting of a diamond--the largest in the world--is soon to begin. This diamond, which has recently been found in South Africa, weighs 475 carats, and is said to be greatly superior in color and brilliancy to all the other famous diamonds of the world.