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Ch. 4: The Fashion of Pearls

Ch. 4: The Fashion of Pearls Page of 358 Ch. 4: The Fashion of Pearls Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
THE FASHION OF PEARLS
It is noticeable, that in all the accounts given of the wealth of pearls discovered in the pos­session of the natives, the Spaniards rarely say anything about the shape or quality of the pearls seen or taken, but always mention the size when large. They do, however, constantly deplore the discoloration caused by the use of fire in the process of boring them. One may imagine the chagrin of these freebooters on finding heaps of royal gems wrecked by the ignorance of the plundered; the value burned out of them, like bank notes for millions muti­lated beyond redemption. The pearls compos­ing this five-foot string were all discolored,— good enough for Indians, but of little value in Spain and Europe.
Round baroques are strung for necklaces to this day, especially in Italy, where the peasantry save from their small earnings the equivalent of two to three hundred dollars, to them an enormous sum, to buy the coveted necklace of pearls. These necklaces are composed usually of several strands of small rounded baroques weighing about one to two grains each and con­nected by bars. Usually there are three to five
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Ch. 4: The Fashion of Pearls Page of 358 Ch. 4: The Fashion of Pearls
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