Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 January 1893 — Famous Pearls. [ARTICLE]

Famous Pearls.

The most curious among famous pearls is that which, three centuries ago; the French traveller, Tavernier, sold to the Shah of Persia for $G70,000. It is still in the possession of the sovereign as Persia. Another Eastern potentate owns a pearl of 124 carats, which is quite transparent. It is to be had for the sum of |200,C00. Princess Youssoupoff has an Oriental pearl which is unique for the beauty of its color. lu 1020 this pearl was sold by Gcorgibus, of Calais, to Philip IV. of Spain at the price of 80,000 ducats. To-day it is valued at $225,000. Pope Leo XIII. owns a pearl left to him by his predecessor on the throne of St. Peter, which is worth SIOO,OOO, and the chain of thirty-two pearls, owned by the Empress Frederick, is estimated at $175,000. One million dollars is the price of the five chains of pearls forming the collier of the Baroness Gustave de Rothschild, and that of the Baroness Adolphe Rothschild is almost as valuable. Both these ladies are enthusiastic collectors of pearls, and their jewelers have instructions to buy for them any pearl of unusual size and beauty which they may happen to come across. The sister of Mme. Thiers, Mile. Doshe, is also the owner of a very valuable string of pearls, which she has collected during the last thirty years. Of so-called black pearls the Empress of Australia possesses the most valuable collection.