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THE DIAMOND
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sublime figure since the discovery and sale of the Cul-linan, nearly twice its size, for one million dollars.
The
" Regent of Portugal," a round diamond of 215 carats valued at 396,800
guineas, is said to have been found by a negro in 1775 near or in the
River Abaite, a few miles north of the River Plata.
August
the Strong bought a stone of remarkable color for 60,000 thalers which
has been in the possession of the Saxon Crown since 1743. It is the "
Green diamond of Dresden," a fine quality, flawless, almond-shaped
stone of a bright apple-green color, weighing 40 carats. It is in the
Green Vaults of Dresden.
The
" Dresden," so named after the original owner, Mr. E. Dresden, is a
diamond of exceptional color and brilliancy, and faultless, weighing
76-1/2 carats. It weighed in the rough 119-1/2 carats, and was
evidently part of the original crystal only. It was found at Bagagem in
the western part of Minas Geraes, Brazil, some say July, 1853, but
Streeter, who received his information direct from Mr. Dresden, says
it was found in 1857, brought shortly after to Rio de Janeiro and sold
to the owner's agents, who forwarded it to him in London the same year.
It was then cut in Amsterdam to an egg-shape drop. In 1863 a rajah
visited London for the purpose of buying it, but would not pay the
price asked, viz.: £40,000. A merchant with him said he would pay the
price if he could afford it. Later, by a rise in cotton during the
Civil War of America, he found himself rich enough to do so, and sent
an agent for it. The middleman got it for £32,000, making a profit of
£8000 by the transaction. The merchant lost his fortune and dying, the
heirs sold it to the Maharajah Sivaji Ras,
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