and
the mass of ordinary material, that gem-stones do not yet bring a price
over poorer grades in proportion to their rarity and true relative
value. All things considered, the highest-priced stones in the market
are the cheapest.
But
whatever the judgment of a dealer may be in this matter, or the
limitations which his trade puts upon him, it is necessary, above all
things, that a stone, of whatever kind, should have some positive
merit. There are stones, like men, whose qualities are all negative;
they have no striking flaws, even; they do not impress one. Avoid them.
Others are faulty, but somehow one likes them. They have character;
some distinguishing trait which makes them desirable, notwithstanding
the faults. Such stones sell. A crystallized dew-drop that holds the
play of the sun will have more lovers, though there is a black spot in
the heart of it, than a dead stone which barely winks at the light of
high noon, even if it is " perfect."
The
chief quality of the diamond as a jewel is its brilliancy. That is the
first consideration. Given fifty rings of equal size in a tray, the
most brilliant, regardless of price, will sell first. They will attract
the eye and interest of the buyer. Unless the lifeless stones are
forced upon his attention, the chances are he will not even ask the
price of them.
Sometimes
want of brilliancy arises from impurity of color, imperfections, or
poor cutting; sometimes from a lack of the native power to refract,
reflect, and disperse light. Whatever the cause, a greasy, glassy
stone, notwithstanding any negative quality it may possess, is
undesirable. The eye cannot at all times distinguish fine shades of
color, nor can ordinary flaws be seen, but if a stone has fire and
life, it will please and fascinate, though otherwise faulty.
After
brilliancy comes color. Judging by the commercial index of price, the
finest is a bluish white. Of this there are two kinds,—a fine clean
tint, and one that is dark. Be-
