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On the Value of Pearls. 311
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It
is remarkable that this "curious and intelligent " man, by the very
simple method of multiplying the number of grains by its own number,
approached nearer to the true value of the Pearl· than is done, so far
as we know, in any other published table. It should be mentioned that
in the greater part of the original table, the weights are given in
carats, and that in the above extract they have been reduced to grains,
in accordance with modern practice ; 4 grains making one carat, and
151-1/2 carats making one ounce, by which weight seed Pearl and baroque
Pearls are bought by the trade.
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Value of Pearls, a.D. 1753.
The next Table is extracted from a "Treatise on Pearls," by David
Jeffries, printed at " The Rose," in Paternoster Row, 1753, and
therefore 82 years later than the date of the preceding Table. Although
the author gives the following value of Pearls, it is most probable
that the large ones existed only on paper, inasmuch as not half-a-dozen
fine round Pearls of over 50 grains each come into the market in the
course of a year. The Table is, therefore, to
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