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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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