48 A Book of Precious Stones
mond brokers of Amsterdam receive a commis sion from both the seller and buyer.
In
Antwerp the principal diamond dealers have their offices in their homes
and usually the business is transacted there, or, in some cases, the
buyers take the goods with them to their hotels " on memorandum" for
leisurely examination before deciding upon their purchases.
The
major event of gem history in the year 1908 was the cutting at
Amsterdam of the great Cullinan diamond, destined to become the
brightest jewel in the British crown. In this connection it may be here
mentioned that said crown was already of great weight—thirty-nine
ounces and five pennyweights—a handicap that His Majesty King Edward
VII. probably does not relish on the rare state occasions when he must
submit to having it rest upon his head, as, for example, when it
becomes his annual royal duty and prerogative to formally open
Parliament. The crown, which usually rests in the Tower of London,
contained, prior to additions from the Cullinan Diamond, two thousand
eight hundred and eighteen diamonds and two hundred and ninety-seven
pearls, besides many other rare and exquisite jewels. Before
