CELEBRATED DIAMONDS. 105
then
sent it by his brother to Amsterdam, where, after a long negotiation,
it was bought by Russia for $334,800 and a patent of nobility.
Russia
possesses also a superb diamond, the Polar Star, cut as a brilliant,
and weighing 40 carats. It belongs to the Princess Youssoupoff. Fig 47.
The
finest diamond owned by Austria is the Grand-duke of Tuscany. It is a
little yellow, and is cut to represent a star of nine rays. Fig. 48.
This
diamond belonged to Charles the Bold, who lost it at the battle of
Granson. Found by a soldier, it was sold by a Genoese merchant to
Ludo-vic Sforza, duke of Milan. It became afterwards the property of
Pope Julius II., who presented it to the Emperor of Austria. It weighs
139-1/2 carats.
