ordinary
pearl and though he knows that the piece is worth much more than he has
paid, and tries to get as nearly what it is worth as he can, both his
judgment and disposition to sell are affected by the low price he has
paid and the chances are that he too in turn will sell it at much less
than its relative value as compared with the ordinary market price of
poor or medium quality goods.
This
condition will gradually change. As in the past the fisher learned more
and more of the market value of ordinary pearls, so also he will learn
to know the price of exceptional pieces and to know them when he has
them. Even now, speculators hold fine large pearls at high prices
because of the ready sale for them in Europe.
It
is difficult to compare the price of pearls in ancient times with that
of to-day. We make much finer and closer assortments and gradations of
quality and the business now is on a more distinctly commercial basis.
People generally are better informed and more critical; they are not
influenced by wonder, sentiment, superstition and the "Arabian Nights"
atmosphere, as much as formerly.
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