230 THE GREAT DIAMONDS OF THE WORLD.
accommodating
the pattern to the exigencies of the subject matter, they transformed
the rudely-facetted, lustreless mass into a diamond of perfect
brilliancy, at the sacrifice of no more than 10 per cent, of its
original weight."
The
thread of the history is then taken up by Murray, who tells us that "
it has remained for ten years in the possession of Rundell &
Bridge, and was disposed of by public sale in London in July, 1831,*
for the sum of £7,200 to Emanuel Brothers. Its weight is stated to be
89-3/4 carats. The amount realized by the sale of the ' Nassak '
diamond scarcely amounted to one-third of its previously estimated
amount."
It
was in the month of August, 1837, that the " Nassak " and a number of
other costly gems were put up to sale, by Messrs. Emanuel in Willis's
Lower Room, King Street, St. James's. The "Nassak," and the diamond
earrings, presented by the Nabob of Arcot to Queen Charlotte, together
with the brilliant brooch purchased by Emanuel from Bevis Marks, were
knocked down to the Marquis of Westminster, who presented the earrings
and brooch to the Marchioness as a birthday present.
At
the Drawing Room on Queen Victoria's birthday, immediately succeeding
her accession to to the British throne, the Marquis of Westminster wore
the " Nassak " diamond on the hilt of his sword, and, " the Marchioness
intended on the same occasion
