CHAPTER XI.
THE CUTTING OF PRECIOUS STONES.
As
existing in a state of nature precious stones do not, as a rule,
exhibit any of those beautiful and wonderful properties which cause
them to be so admired and sought after as to become of great intrinsic
value, for their surfaces have become clouded by innumerable fine cuts
or abrasions, because of the thousands of years during which they ha've
been under pressure, or tumbled about in rivers, or subjected to the
incessant friction caused by surrounding substances. All this
occurring above and under ground has given them an appearance
altogether different to that which follows cutting and polishing,
Further, the shape of the stone becomes altered by the same means, and
just as Michael Angelo's figure was already in the marble, as he
facetiously said, and all he had to do was to chip off what he did not
require till he came to it, so is the same process of cutting and
polishing necessary to give to the precious stones their full value,
and it is the manner in which these delicate and difficult operations
are performed that is now under consideration. Just as experience and
skill are essential to the obtaining of a perfect figure from the block
of marble, so must the cutting and polishing of a precious stone call
for the greatest dexterity of which a workman is capable, experience and
