HISTORICAL DIAMONDS.
The
extraordinary value always attributed to large diamonds, combined with
their scarcity, rendered it possible to follow for ages the history of
some which belonged to high and celebrated personages, and never passed
into the possession of different families or persons without great
vicissitudes, of which, for'the most part, mention is made in history.
In
relating that Berqueen was the first who cut the gem to sixty-four
facets, by which the diamond took the name of brilliant in Italy, we
remarked that he had in this fashion cut three large diamonds, given to
him for that purpose by Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy.
The first of these has now the name of Sancy; it weighs car. 33f ; it is of the first water, and in the form of a water-drop.
The
brave but unfortunate duke wore this stone in his helmet the fatal day
of Granson. It remained with him on the field of battle, and was there
found by a Swiss soldier, who sold it to a priest for two Turin live :
the priest, without being aware of its value, resold it for three lire
to some unknown person, whose traces were lost.,
In
1589, by means of the form, the weight, and quality of water, this
diamond was known to be in possession of the Court of Portugal. King
Antonio gave it in pledge to the treasurer of the King of France,
Niccola Harley de Sancy, who at last bought it for one hundred thousand
" tornesi."
From the family of the treasurer, who possessed it a
