It was noticed in the public prints, in 1881, that the subject
of disposing of some of the crown jewels was discussed in
the National Assembly, and in 1884 it was announced that
they, or a part of them, were soon to be sold, and the proceeds were to be used in enriching the National Museum.
The most valuable jewels, after the regalia, are the decorations sent to the sovereigns by foreign potentates, comprising
a watch presented to Louis XIV. by the Dey of Algiers, a
brooch of diamonds, and a sword. It was decided these
should not be sold, but others of no historical value were to be
disposed of, including three parures, one of sapphires, one of
turquoises, and the other of rubies, all of modern workmanship,
made for the Duchess de Barri, but re-arranged expressly for
the Empress Eugénie. It is said that the state jewels now
comprise sixty fine diamonds, of more than twenty-five carats
each.
Netherlands. — The Dutch imported large quantities of
precious stones from the Western Continent after its discovery
and colonization, and since the diamond-bearing regions of the
East Indies have been accessible to them, their collection has
become greatly augmented from time to time, either by purchase
or by conquest, until the royal treasury at the Hague ranks
among the largest on the continent of Europe, though it has the
reputation of containing a large number of forgeries.
Brazil.—The imperial jewels of Brazil are exceedingly rich
in diamonds, which have been valued at nearly twenty million
dollars. The largest and finest gems obtained from the native
mines have been appropriated by the crown ; therefore the
distinction of possessing the richest regalia has been sometimes
awarded to this empire, but the specimens, however great their
intrinsic value, have not the romantic associations which
cluster about some of the oriental gems.
