of
pearls to reiterated records of a few great pearls which one by one
have been brought to public notice during the past centuries.
Exact
and reliable statements about gems are a modern innovation. In the old
times unverified report was the only evidence the general public had of
them. Crown jewellers, not always quite reliable, would make public
some statements in general terms about the jewels of a reigning house.
Occasionally, as in the case of France, the state had the crown jewels
inventoried so that some fairly definite knowledge could be had of
them. Infrequently a traveller published his observations, made under
more or less favorable circumstances, of the jewels of some oriental
prince. Chief of these was Tavernier, the French jeweller. He not only
had expert knowledge of gems but was able by recommendations of the
French court, to gain such access to the jewels of eastern princes and
dealers that he could make critical examinations of them.
For
various reasons it is extremely difficult also in these days to obtain
accurate knowledge of extraordinary gems. Dealers for business
325
