F
the twenty diamonds which Tavernier sold to king Louis XIV., and which
are figured in the first edition of his work, four only exceeded 30
carats in weight. Of these, the largest was the rough blue, weighing
112 1/4 carats, which we have already described.
The three others may here be conveniently grouped together as the Tavernier A, B, & C.
A.
Of
this fine stone Tavernier gives three figures, representing its upper
and lower surface, and thickness respectively. He tells us that it
weighed 51 9/16 carats, was "white and pure" (blanc et net) and "cut in India" (faille aux Indes).
Since
Taverniere time nothing further has been heard of this gem, which no
doubt was stolen with the rest of the French regalia from the Garde
Meublé, in 1792. But a very beautiful stone, which we have little doubt
is the identical and long-missing Tavernier A, was purchased by the
late Emperor Napoleon III. in the year 1860, and by him presented to
the Empress
