|
Of all the substances employed in jewelry the pearl is the one whose value it is the most difficult to establish, because it depends upon so many variable conditions of size, form, and colour.
The table given here is one which was made by M. Harry Emanuel, to show the price of pearls of the first choice in 1867:-
PRECIOUS STONES. 1865. 1867. A Pearl of 3 grains, $3.16 to $3.34 $3.90 to $4.27 A Pearl of 4 grains, 4.65 to 5.95 5.95 to 7.44 A Pearl of 5 grains, 7.62 to 9.67 8.55 to 10.78 A Pearl of 6 grains, 12 90 to 13 95 15.16 to 17.29 A Pearl of 8 grains, 19.34 to 23.80 21.57 to 35.85 A Pearl of 10 grains, 37.57 to 42.22 46.87 to 51.52 A Pearl of 12 grains, 56.17 to 70.30 65.47 to 74.95 A Pearl of 14 grains, 70.30 to 84.25 84.25 to 93.74 A Pearl of 16 grains, 93.74 to 140.61 93.74 to 140.61 A Pearl of 18 grains, 140.61 to 186.93 140.61 to 186.93 A Pearl of 20 grains, 186.93 to 223.20 186.93 to 234.36 A Pearl of 24 grains, 281.23 to 337.59 281.23 to 337.59 A Pearl of 30 grains, 393.76 to 468.90 393.76 to 468.90
Besides the individual value which pearls possess in common with all other precious stones, and which is expressed in the preceding table, they have another very important one, which we may call associative value. Thus it happens, that two pearls of the same form, the same size, the same colour, &c., are worth a much higher price, if sold together, than when sold apart. A necklace, in which the pearls have been chosen from a great number, will be held at double the value of a necklace where the pearls have been picked from a smaller number, even when the individual value of the pearls is identical in both. In the first case the harmony will be complete; while in the second case the eye will detect a break in the shades in passing from one pearl to another. |
You are here:
JJKent Home >>
Precious Stones Guide Vol 2
>> Table of Pricing Pearls
| <<Famous and Celebrated Pearls | Physical Characteristics and Commerce of Coral>> |