A Historical Comparison of the Pear and Savoy Diamonds

THE PEAR AND SAVOY.

Set in Pearls--A Popular Fiction Dispelled--The Pear and Savoy not one Stone--The Shadows of Nadir Shah--Loss of the Pear in Persia.

In the inventory of the Crown Jewels of the House of Savoy, drawn up on October 19, 1679, the first gem on the list is described as "a large table diamond, set in a gold, black and white enamelled rim, in the antique style, weighing 54 carats, with three appended pearls, pear-shaped, amongst which pearls is the 'Pilgrim,' weighing 45 carats, the other two 38 and 36 carats respectively. This gem was bequeathed to the crown by Queen Christina of France by her will dated April 5, 1662."

It has been suggested that this gem, which we name the "Savoy," is the same as Tavernier's "Pear;" but although the weight, about 54 carats each, corresponds, the shapes show that they are two different stones. Tavernier's is described as "pear-shaped," whereas the "Savoy" is stated to be table-cut, the pear form mentioned in connection with it referring, not to the diamond itself, but to the accompanying pearls, which are said in the inventory to be grouped or disposed in the form of a pear. Until the Italian text of the inventory was published in 1880, it was supposed that the diamond was described as pearshaped, whence the natural conclusion that this stone was tavernier's "Pear."

It is further to be noted that Tavernier saw the Indian gem in 1658 in the Mogul's treasury, where it in all probability remained till the sack of Delhi by Nadir Shah in the next century. But the "Savoy" diamond was already amongst the French regalia in 1662, in which year it was bequeathed to the House of Savoy, as stated in the above-quoted passage from the inventory. Hence the theory that the two are one and the same gem must be unhesitatingly rejected.

It is remarkable that both have since disappeared. The "Pear" was doubtless carried off by Nadir Shah, and lost in Persia. The "Savoy" may possibly have been re-cut and thus reduced in size, so that it can now no longer be identified. At all events no allusion whatever is made to it in the subsequent inventory of the crown jewels prepared in the year 1772, and a copy of which has been courteously forwarded to us by Signor Pincone, the present private secretary of his Majesty King Humbert of Italy, heir and successor to all the treasures of the House of Savoy.

It is needless to add that neither of these stones can be associated with the "Sancy," which is certainly of the same size, but which in its form, history, and all other respects differs entirely from both of them.