|
THE BOOK OF DIAMONDS
that
the breakage of this stone, accidental or otherwise, was regarded as an
omen of trouble, and may have had its influence on historical events,
for not only uncivilized and Oriental potentates, but Christian kings
and learned men have attributed wonderful powers to precious stones. In
mediaeval days carbuncles were credited with an influence on poisons;
jasper was believed to cure fevers; agate ministered to defective
eye-sight. Juvenal records of a ring, belonging to Cicero, was believed
that it endowed him with eloquence; and Edward the Confessor had a ring
which was believed to cure epilepsy. (See Chapter Two on Superstition.)
STAR OF THE SOUTH
The
Star of the South was found by a negress in July, 1853, in the Province
of Minas Geraes, and is the largest of the known Brazilian stones. It
is a stone of singular beauty, with a lovely tint. It had 24 natural
facets. It weighed 254 carats before it was cut and 125 carats after it
was cut.
The
stone ultimately reached a Paris syndicate, by which it was shown in
the Dutch department of the London Exhibition of 1862, and in that of
Paris in 1867. On both occasions it attracted great attention, and its
fame reached the remotest corners of the globe. It was soon afterwards
forwarded to India. During the exhibition of the gem in India glowing
accounts of its rare size and beauty had reached the late ex-Gaikwar of
Baroda, one of the greatest diamond fanciers of modern times. This
prince commis-
94
|
||
|
|
||