Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 October 1874 — Gems. [ARTICLE]

Gems.

M. Gilson has recently concluded a Journey round the world, which he made for the purpose of ascertaining the condition of the trade in gems. In an article in the St. Petersburg Gazette he states the results of his investigations. Diamonds he found at a lower rate than they have reached in ten years past. Pearls and emeralds are, on the other hand, at a premium. An opal the size of an average olive would bring in New York, at the present time, about $180; a sapphire of the same size would bring $1,350 emerald, $7,500;'’ a diamond, $13,500; and a ruby $37,500. In Europe these gems would rank somewhat differently, opals and sapphires rating higher and emeralds lower.. Pearls are now brought from Central America, California and the Persian Gulf, but none of them rival those of the East Indies. About $5,250,000 worth of diamonds are annually imported from South America into Europe, and the same into America. Many of these are of good size, and most have at yellowish tinge. In consequence of this heavy importation diamonds of the same hue have fallen 75 per cent, in the market. But this effect upon the value of the stones may be considered merely temporary. A* similar depreciation in ..their price occurred at the discovery of the diamond-mines in Brazil —Golconda having previously supplied the market —but they soon regained their value. —Men are not in the habit of looking at things alike. If they were, we would have a wonderfully unpleasant world of it. It pays to be thrown among men who will differ with us, providing we can recognize, wisdom in others, and do not set all down as fools who do not come up to our standard.