Ch. 46: The Pear and Savoy Diamonds, Set in Pearl

Ch. 45: The Kollur Diamond, Kollur Mine & Kistna Valley Page of 312 Ch. 46: The Pear and Savoy Diamonds, Set in Pearl Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
XL VI.
THE PEAR AND SAVOY.
Set in Pearls—A Popular Fiction Dispelled—The Pear and Savoy not one Stone—The Shadows of Nadir Shah— Loss of the Pear in Persia.
N the inventory of the Crown Jewels of the House of Savoy, drawn up on October 19, 1679, the first gem on the list is described as " a large table dia­mond, set in a gold, black and \vhite enamelled rim, in the antique style, weighing 54 carats, with three appended pearls, pear-shaped, amongst which pearls is the 'Pilgrim,' weighing 45 carats,the other two 38 and 36 carats respectively. This gem was bequeathed to the crown by Queen Christina of France by her will dated April 5, 1662."
It has been suggested that this gem, which we name the " Savoy," is the same as Tavernier's " Pear ;" but although the weight, about 54 carats each, corre­sponds, the shapes show that they are two different stones. Tavernier's is described as "pear-shaped," whereas the " Savoy " is stated to be table-cut, the pear form mentioned in connection with it referring, not to the diamond itself, but to the accompanying pearls, which are said in the inventory to be grouped
Ch. 45: The Kollur Diamond, Kollur Mine & Kistna Valley Page of 312 Ch. 46: The Pear and Savoy Diamonds, Set in Pearl
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