THE FRENCH BLUE. 127
diamond
was its chief glory, but it contained other gems of value. A portion of
these were recently offered for sale consisting of diamonds, sapphires,
opals and pearls, set and unset, and of rings, crosses and bracelets,
of all sorts of shapes and patterns. The display reminded one of a
jeweller's show-case except for this remarkable difference. There were
no two objects alike, and all showed the refined taste of an amateur
rather than the massive showi-ness of the mere commercial jewel.
Mr.
Hope engaged an eminent jeweller, Mr. Hertz, at an eminent fee (five
thousand dollars) to catalogue his jewels. This gentleman performed
his task with business-like succinctness, using no unnecessary words to
describe the numerous precious objects. But when he reached the Blue
Diamond he launches out into unbridled enthusiasm. He says:
"
This matchless gem combines the beautiful color of the sapphire with
the prismatic fire and brilliancy of the diamond, and on account of
its extraordinary color, great
