Page:A treatise on diamonds and precious stones including their history Natural and commercial.djvu/59

 cular part—but from the high refractive quality of the gem, it appears discolored all over.

of eighteen most beautiful rich diamonds, all of very high lustre, was sent to me. They had a slight tinge of yellow, and weighed seventeen carats. The price asked was three pounds per carat; they were afterwards bought at forty-nine shillings, not one of them made a white brilliant; they were all off color, and it was doubtful whether they would be sold at a price to cover the cost.

rough stones were consigned to me; they weighed almost exactly 5 carats each, together 15½ carats, they were all fine, and would cut free from flaws; though one exhibited some indication of not being of the purest water. Their forms were favorable for cutting to advantage, and making spread stones; they sold for £120, which was considered an excellent price: they would weigh together, when made into brilliants, from 32 to 34 grains.