Famous and Celebrated Pearls

The most celebrated pearl which has been seen in modern times is described by the famous traveller Tavernier.

Found by an Arab in the neighbourhood of Catifa, it was purchased in 1633, by the King of Persia, for the sum of $260,400.

The pearl known as the Peregrina, bought by Philip II., king of Spain, weighed 134 carats; it was in the form of a pear, and of the size of a pigeon's egg. It came from Panama, and was estimated at more than 50,000 ducats.

Another still more famous pearl was brought from the Indies by Gorgibus of Calais, and presented to Philip IV., king of Spain; it had the form of a pear, and weighed 126 carats.

"How have you ventured," asked Philip IV. of the merchant, "to put all your fortune into such a little object?" "I knew that there was in the world the King of Spain to buy it of me," the merchant answered. There was but one royal way of rewarding such faith as this, and Philip IV. became forthwith the owner of the pearl of Gorgibus.

The inventory of 1789 shows that the crown of France possessed at that time pearls to the value of $186,000, among which occurred-

1st. A round virgin pearl of a magnificent orient, weighing about 27 carats, and estimated at $37,200.

2d. Two pear-shaped pearls, finely formed, and of a very beautiful orient, weighing both together 57 11/16 carats, and estimated at $55,800.

3d. Two other pairs of pearl pendants, weighing together 99 6/16 carats, estimated at $11,904.

There is also a magnificent pearl, which was brought from Berlin by the first Napoleon, and which was exquisitely mounted in a breastplate by Lemonnier.