88 NATURAL HISTORY OF PRECIOUS STONES, &c.
egg-shaped,
with an impression (indentation) on one side. But, adds the same
informant, to strangers a mere bit of crystal is shown in its stead,
out of fear of exciting the cupidity of his neighbours the Dutch at
Pontiniak, who, having already despoiled this unfortunate prince of his
lands, would certainly seize upon this last relic of his prosperity
were they assured of its genuineness. Such being the state of the case,
the true character of this long-celebrated gem cannot be regarded as
satisfactorily established.
THE GRAND DUKE OF TUSCANY," OTHERWISE CALLED '"THE AUSTRIAN YELLOW."
This
stone remains the largest cut Diamond in Europe, after the Orloff,
weighing 139-1/2 carats. Tavernier, who had seen it at Florence in the
middle of the seventeenth century, and who gives a very accurate
drawing of it, remarks what a pity it is that " its water has a tinge
of yellow." This tinge, I am informed on the highest authority
is a very strong one indeed, almost destroying its brilliancy. Its
pattern is a double rose : that is, a spheroidal stone facetted on
both sides. There is a tradition that it was bought for a trifle off a
curiosity stall in Florence, being considered as no more than a yellow
crystal. This must have been shortly before Tavernier's visit (who says
nothing of its history), for the well-informed De Laet, writing but a
few years before, had heard nothing of the existence of Diamonds of
this extraordinary * weight. A fable retailed as frequently as the
other respecting the Sancy, but infinitely more preposterous, makes
out this also to be the identical stone, Ber-quem's
masterpiece, lost by Charles either at Granson or Nancy. How it has
passed, changing its title thereby,
* Mentioning 70 carats as the highest limit known (p. 9).
