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Blue " was the " Rough Tavernier Blue," which in the process of cutting and polishing was reduced from 112-1/4 to 67-1/8 carats.
The "French Blue," was itself later on reduced by cleavage into one
large and two small fragments. The large fragment was again skilfully
manipulated, so as still further to disguise its origin, and is now
known as the " Hope Blue," weighing 44-1/4 carats. Of this stone the
two smaller fragments form the compliment. One of them fell into the
hands of the Duke of Brunswick, and was disposed of at the sale of his
effects which took place at Geneva in April, 1874. The purchasers were
Messrs. Ochs Brothers, of Paris, who obtained it for 17,000 francs, or
£680. It weighs 13-3/4 carats.* The third fragment has lately been seen
and examined by ourselves. Its colour is identical with that of the "
Hope " and the Duke of Brunswick's " Blue," and it weighs as nearly as
possible 1-1/4 carats. By adding
 carats, which are about 
the weight of the " French Blue," from which these pieces are believed
to have been obtained. The difference is accounted for by the losses
incidental to the cleaving of the "French Blue," and the fresh
treatment of the several fragments needed to give them a regular form.
The full account of the process by which all these fragments have been
traced back to the " French Blue," will, as stated, be found in the
chapter devoted to the " Hope Blue " diamond.
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