This
tragical end of what Mawe calls a " diamond of the first water, and
ranking amongst the finest in Europe," entirely escaped the notice of
Dieulafait Kluge, and other writers on Precious Stones. All of them
continued to speak of it as still in existence, Emanuel shrewdly
remarking that "the present owner is not known !"
This
circumstance also accounts for the astonishing differences of opinion
that prevail regarding the size of a stone which has been seen by no
expert since the time when it passed out of the hands of Messrs.
Rundell & Co.* Murray gives its weight at 47-1/2 carats ; Dieulafait at 81-1/2 ;
Emanuel at 82-1/4 and Kluge at 82-1/2. But Mawe, who was personally
acquainted with the stone, and who wrote before it was sold to Ali
Pasha, tells us distinctly that, "its weight is 49 carats," and this
statement must be accepted as final.
The
same writer describes it as " a brilliant of great surface, both in
table and girdle, but is considered not of sufficient depth," and is,
therefore, also lacking in brilliancy.
Another
point remains to be noted. Murray makes the astonishing statement that
" the ' Pigott ' diamond was brought to England by Earl Pigott when
Governor-General of India." Of course Earl Pigott, or rather Lord
Pigott, was never " Governor-General of India," though he was twice
governor of Madras.
