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Ch. 66: Napoleon Diamond, Vague History of a Brilliant Gem

Ch. 65: The Little Sancy Diamond Page of 312 Ch. 66: Napoleon Diamond, Vague History of a Brilliant Gem Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
LXVI.
THE NAPOLEON.
The Vague History of a Brilliant Gem—An Ornament of Napoleon's Sword Hilt.
ERY little is known regarding this beau­tiful gem, whose history begins as abruptly as it terminates. Like one of those bright meteors, which in northern climes suddenly flash across the starry firmament to be presently extinguished in darkness, it makes its appearance in the British metropolis about the time of the French Revolution, and has already vanished out of sight almost before the close of the eighteenth century. Murray, who is almost our only authority for its brief but brilliant career, tells us that it belonged originally to Mr. Eliason (the same gentle­man who sold the " Blue " diamond to Mr. Hope), of London. It was seen in his possession by a trust­worthy person, from whom Murray received the few particulars which he has recorded regarding its subse­quent history. From this source we learn that it was purchased from Eliason for £8,000 by Napoleon Buonaparte, and by him worn in the hilt of his sword on the occasion of his wedding with the hapless Josephine Beauharnais, in 1796. Murray adds that " it was not a diamond of the first class," although it is known to have really been a very perfect stone.
It is remarkable that at that early period of his career, when he was still only a distinguished general
Ch. 65: The Little Sancy Diamond Page of 312 Ch. 66: Napoleon Diamond, Vague History of a Brilliant Gem
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