The pearls in the cross surmounting the crown have a weight of thirty-six grains.
The
imperial cross is profusely ornamented with pearls in front, while the
back consists simply of silver-gilt. There are three strings of pearls
in the front running in each direction. The total weight of the pearls
is 4092 grains; one weighing sixty-four grains, and the smallest two
grains.
The crucifix of the Golden Fleece is ornamented only in front with pearls ; these have a weight of but 136 grains.
The
imperial Austrian regalia, dating from the time of Emperor Rudolph II,
are also in the imperial Burg; some of the emperor's jewels were sold
at auction in Prague in 1728.
The
crown is adorned with two rows of pearls, weighing respectively 960
and 840 grains ; between these rows are pearls having a total weight
of 440 grains, while the ornaments and eight large drops weigh 2052
grains. The largest pearl on this crown weighs 104 grains. It is
drop-shaped and belonged to Rudolph II; it is slightly uneven and the
color, although white, is not that of a new pearl, but this pearl has a
positive history of three hundred and six years, and at the present
time is probably the oldest known unchanged pearl with a direct and
authentic record.
The
imperial orb is studded with pearls weighing in all 1560 grains. Four
of these weigh forty grains each, the others are of lesser size, the
smallest weighing ten grains. The scepter is adorned with pearls to the
weight of 300 grains.
In
addition to these insignia and regalia there are in the treasury two
magnificent pearl necklaces, deposited by Empress Maria Theresa in
1765. The first consists of a single string of 114 large-sized pearls
with the "Baden Solitaire," a diamond of 30 carats, as a clasp. Three
of these pearls weigh from 92 to 100 grains each, and the whole string
has a total weight of 3400 grains. This would give us the following
values, the pearls averaging 29.82 grains.
