THE AUSTRIAN YELLOW. 167
to be star-shaped. But we have seen that Fugger describes the Burgundian as " a pyramid, with the apex cut into a four-rayed star in relief," whereas we are officially told that the " Florentine" " is cut in nine surfaces, covered with facets forming a star with nine rays!'
Another
still more extravagant tradition identifies the " Florentine " with
the " Sancy," from which, as will be seen further on, it differs in
weight, form, colour, and history. The true origin of both of these
historical gems may doubtless be wrapped in obscurity, but that they
are two totally distinct stones there cannot be the shadow of a doubt.
Owing
to the confusion between the " Fugger " and " Florentine," the latter
has sometimes been called the " Maximilian," as by Murray, who writes
that " the ' Maximilian,' or Austrian diamond, is of a yellow colour
and rose cut, and has been an heirloom in the family ever since the
emperor of that name." But we have seen above that it did not pass into
the Austrian family until the time of Maria Theresa. It was one of the
gems purchased by Jacob Fugger that passed into the hands of Maximilian
II., for whom Fugger broke up the " Cap of Maintenance," resetting all
the jewels adorning it. He describes it as of silk, and covered with
pearls, with a hat-band of sapphires and rubies, and a plume-case set
with alternate rows of good-sized diamonds, pearls, and rubies. It
would thus seem that one of these " good-sized diamonds" has developed
into a stone of 139-1/2 carats, and that the latter has been made an "
heir-loom " of the House of Austria nearly two hundred years before
