Page:A treatise on diamonds and precious stones including their history Natural and commercial.djvu/141

 two carats, are sold at from forty to seventy shillings per carat; and if smaller and defective, at ten or fifteen shillings per carat.

emerald is so highly esteemed in Europe, that it merits the best workmanship. It ought to be cut in planes or steps, larger or smaller, according to the intensity of its color, with a low bizel, and large table, and set on black. With this work it appears to the greatest advantage, especially if also surrounded by brilliants, the lustre of which contrasts agreeably with the softened hue of the gem.

emeralds are rare, and in such demand, that a particular suit has been known to have passed into the possession of a series of purchasers, and to have made the tour of Europe in the course of half a century.