FAVOURITE GEMS OF DISTINGUISHED PEOPLE
S
ENTIMENT occupies a
high place in the values of gems, and it has been, to a considerable
extent, created by the historical or traditional association of
different gems with royal personages and people otherwise famous; the
favour of the great has sometimes had an important effect upon the
market value of precious stones, and in some cases good or ill fortune
has passed with gems from one possessor to another, until to the
inanimate jewel has attached the credit or discredit of causing
remarkable human experiences, and the stone has acquired the attribute
of lucky or unlucky. The diamond fills the leading role in this
historical and legendary drama of the gems, and a full account of all
pertaining to it that is worthy of notice, that is extant in print,
might suffice for a volume of considerable interest.
Charlemagne fastened his mantle with a clasp set with diamonds; these historic stones illus-
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