sold
in the rough for £35,000 (302 contos de Reis), and reduced by cutting
from 254 1/2 to 125 carats, at an expenditure of close upon £500. In
the process it assumed an elegant oval form, in which the light is well
refracted. It is of unusual length, 35 millimetres by 29 millimetres
broad, and 19 in thickness. These measurements, as Barbot remarks,
might seem to imply a magnitude superior even to that of the " Regent."
Yet this gem is really 13 carats lighter, a fact explained by the
perfect harmony of proportions exhibited by the "Regent," and which
are missing in the " Star of the South." Nevertheless, it is a pure
stone and has, on the whole, been handled with great judgment, although
the best possible advantage has not perhaps, been taken of its natural
forms. The cutter was Voorsanger, of Mr. Coster's establishment at
Amsterdam, and in his hands the diamond lost rather more than half of
its original weight. The reflected light is perfectly white, but,
strange to say, it assumes by refraction a decided rose tint, very
agreeable to the eye. This probably unique phenomenon is due, no doubt,
to the peculiar prismatic form imparted to the crystal, perhaps
unconsciously, by the cutter.
After
its latent beauties were thus revealed to the world, this superb gem
was purchased by Messrs. Halphen, and a few other merchants in Paris,
who had constituted themselves a syndicate for the purpose. By them it
was named the " Estrella do Sud," or "Star of the South." Before
reaching them, it had passed in its rough state through several hands,
all of whom were more or less benefited by its possession
