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Tavernier gives a minute description of the diamonds of Aurengzebe, at whose court he was favourably received, and whose jewels he was permitted to inspect and weigh.
"The first stone," he writes, "that Akel-Kau placed in my hands was a great diamond cut as a rose, very high on one side. It had a slight notch on one of its edges, and a small flaw within. It was of the first water, and weighed 280 carats." When brought from the mine of Colore, near Golconda, it weighed 787 1/2 carats but had several flaws. Hortensio Borghis, a Venetian, was employed to cut it, and the work nearly cost him his life; for the king accused him of having spoiled the diamond, and only allowed him the privilege of retaining his head on the payment of ten thousand rupees. This diamond is believed to be the same as that which now belongs to Queen Victoria, and is known as the Koh-i-noor. Its history will be given below.
"After having fully examined this beautiful stone," continues Tavernier, "and having returned it to the hands of Akel-Kau, he showed me another diamond, finely formed, and of the first water, with three table-cut diamonds, two clear, and one having little black points. Each one of these weighed from 48 to 50 carats; and the first 54 1/2 carats. He then showed me a trinket consisting of twelve diamonds all roses, and each one weighing from 13 to 14 carats. In the midst was a heart-shaped rose, of first water, with three little flaws: this rose weighed 35 carats." |
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Precious Stones Guide Vol 2
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