Diamonds of Fate	191
	Geneva. But like many another man, he had a son who could get rid of money faster than the old man had made it, and the young man brought about his father's financial ruin. After selling his estates to discharge his debts, Taver-nier again, at the great age of 84, went in search of for­tune. But he did not reach India, the object of his journey. In 1689, while on the way to Persia, he met his end at Moscow. Amongst other writings he left a work in two volumes, Les Six Voyages de J. B. Tavermer, which was published in Paris in 1676. The green brilliant has a history like a mere postscript to the story of the great blue stone. But it, too, was of unique colour, though not in the first rank for size, being only 160 grains (forty carats). It was worn by the King of Saxony when in Court dress. Brilliant cut, it was set à jour, in a plume to be worn as a hat ornament.