Page:A treatise on diamonds and precious stones including their history Natural and commercial.djvu/126

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of one remarkably fine, which he wears as an armlet.

European princes cannot boast of any of first rate magnitude. Henry VIII. is decorated in most of his portraits with a magnificent collar of rubies; but it no longer exists among the Crown jewels, and it is unknown what has become of it.

A superlatively fine ruby of the most enchanting color and greatest perfection, lately arrived in this country; it was purchased by Mr. Hope, whose well known taste and liberality far surpasses any eulogium. This gem has been recut since it came into that gentleman's collection, and may be justly said to be the finest colored stone in Europe.

Rubies of ten carats are extremely rare and valuable; one of twenty-two grains was sold for £160; and another which I possessed,