and
the marvel of it is that they are absolutely without flaw and of a fine
blue-white color. The largest stone measures 2.322x1.791 inches, and
the next important, 1.771x1.594 inches.
King
Edward, who followed the process of cutting with much interest, as a
token of his appreciation of the eminently successful results,
presented the firm of cutters with a silver bowl, and the Queen of
Holland conferred the Knighthood of Orange Nassau on Joseph Asscher.
The knife and hammer with which the cleaving was done were presented
to the King.
Thus
has been added to the Crown jewels of England, magnificent symbols of
her power, and coming as a gift from a colony which was but a short
-time since a desperately inimical government, they are glowing
testimonials to the general policy of a nation which has become the
most successful colonizer of the world.
For comparison, the weights of the great cut diamonds of the world at present known to be in existence are appended:
