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2l6
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PRECIOUS STONES.
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the Braganza, or the King of Portugal's, is supposed to be a
topaz. It was discovered in the mines of Gani, or Coulour, in 1650, and came into the possession of the vizier of the King of Golconda, who had amassed great wealth by farming the diamonds. Becoming the object of jealousy to his royal master, the minister escaped from court, taking with him all his treasures, and found his way to the capital of Aurungzeeb, one of the most celebrated of the Mogul rulers. Here the fugitive vizier became a favorite by his munificent presents to the emperor, including this famous diamond, which was from its imperial owner, called the "Great Mogul." Its weight at that time, according to Tavernier, was
seven hundred eighty-seven and one-half carats, but as it was· badly flawed it was decided to have it cut— an operation performed by an unskilful Venetian lapidary named Borgia, or Borghis, who reduced its weight nearly one-third. It was cut in the form of a half egg, and covered with facets like a rose diamond. The emperor was so offended at the great waste of the stone, that he not only refused to pay the operator his. stipulated price, but imposed a fine of ten thousand rupees for damages. The unfortunate Venetian, who evidently understood neither his business nor the temper of despotic princes, was glad to escape with his life. The same or a similar incident has been related of the Koh-i-noor, and Dieulafait thinks it was this diamond and not the Great Mogul which Tavernier saw at the emperor's court. The two gems have sometimes been confounded, and the
traditions of the one have been merged with those of the other ; yet they were perfectly distinct, having little in common except their great size and their presence in the imperial treasury. The weight of this diamond, like the Koh-i-noor, has
been differently estimated at 900, 793^, and 7871 carats, before |
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