|
50 A Book of Precious Stones
every
movement against the possible attacks of thieves. In the following
month the Cullinans were conveyed to the Tower by a closely guarded
royal messenger in a motor car, and placed with the regalia beside a
model of the Kohi-noor. Since then the British public and visitors
from all parts of the world have curiously viewed the famous gems.
There
was disappointment among the diamond cutters and in the gem trade in
England when it was decided to send the Cullinan Diamond to Amsterdam
to be cut; the great distinction was conferred upon the house of J.
Asscher & Co., of Amsterdam and Paris, whose " fabriek," or factory
is in the Tulp Straat or " Tol-straat," as it is sometimes written, of
Holland's capital. The stone was delivered to the Amsterdam firm in
January, 1908, where for nine months it was kept in the vault, of which
the wralls of concrete and steel are over two feet thick. On
February 10th the stone was split by Mr. Joseph Asscher under the
supervision of Messrs. M. J. Levy & Nephews, precious stone
experts, retained to additionally assure the best scientific methods in
the operations in which so vast a sum in values was involved. The
stone was first cleft in two
|
||
|
|
||