COLLECTIONS OF PRECIOUS STONES. 57
Dr. A. C. Hamlin, Maine ; Mrs. S. S. C. Lowe, Morristown,
Penn.; Prof. C. U. Sheppard, New Haven; G. F. Kunz, New
York ; Mrs. M. J. Chase, Philadelphia ; and Mr. Buff om, Boston.
Dealers in Gems.—The well known firm of Tiffany & Co.,,
New York, is the largest, most comprehensive and complete in
all its departments, of any establishment of the kind in the
world, and has done much, says a contemporary writer, to give
an impetus to the fine arts in America.
It has an international reputation for the beauty and originality of its designs, and the excellence of its workmanship,
which are not surpassed by the best productions of London and
Paris. As a mark of distinction, the honor of an appointment
as special jewellers to a large number of foreign potentates and
princes, has been given to this firm, the first of the kind ever
conferred upon an American. About one thousand persons in
all the different departments of labor, including the most skilful
artists and artisans, are constantly employed in this immense
establishment, and as a result the work of cutting, polishing^
and engraving precious stones executed here, bears the marks
of a scrupulous regard for the perfection of detail, and at the
same time affords a pleasing general effect. Messrs. Tiffany &
Co. have all the appliances for the delicate work of engravingportraits on the diamond, usually considered the highest achievement of the lapidary's skill.
