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Adamas, Diamond

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36                                          ADAMAS.
The Nizam's Diamond, weight 340 carats, is somewhat almond-shaped, almost intact, though an attempt has been made to shape it into the mystic Yoni, probably to be placed in the hand of a statue of Parvati, goddess of fecundity. This stone was broken into two in the year of the Sepoy mutiny. I have seen a cast of it in the British Museum.
The Raja of Mattan's is said to be of the finest water, and to weigh 367 carats (uncut most probably). Lowe ('Sarawak,' p. 28) was informed by a party professing to be a competent judge, that he had examined this renowned stone, which is ac­tually in the possession of the present Raja: it is egg-shaped, with an impression on one side. But, adds he, to strangers a mere bit of crystal is shown in its stead, out of fear of exciting the cupidity of the Dutch at Pontiniak, who, having already stripped this unfortunate prince of his lands, would seize upon this last relic of his fortunes, if assured of its genuineness. Hence this matter is still dubious.
The " Eegent of France" (weight in the rough 410 carats) was bought by Gov. Pitt of the dealer Jamchund for 12,500l. To cut it into a perfect brilliant occupied two years, at a cost of 5000/. The Eegent Orleans paid for it 135,000l. Its present weight is 136-1/4|, and it is the most perfect brilliant in existence, and therefore as yet, for shape and water, is without a rival. It was found at Parteal, 45 leagues south of Golconda. (The frag­ments cut off in the shaping were valued at 3000l. or 4000l., thus nearly paying for the cutting.)
The cutting of the Koh-i-noor is said to have cost 8000/., by the "improved process," a small steam-engine being employed, and workmen brought over from Holland. A most ill-advised proceeding, which has deprived the stone of all its historical and mineralogical value ; for as a specimen of a monster diamond whose native weight and form (186 carats) had been as little as possible diminished by art (for the grand object of the Hindoo lapidary is to preserve the weight), it was unrivalled in Europe; and giving in their stead a bad-shaped, shallow brilliant, of but inferior water, and only 102-1/2 carats weight.
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