SOME FAMOUS DIAMONDS.

Northland Age, Volume IV, Issue 47, 13 July 1908, Page 8

SOME FAMOUS DIAMONDS.

The three finest diamonds worn in London Society are those belonging to the Duchess of Westminster, the Countess of Dudley, and the Duchess of Portland. It is, of course, eminently right and fitting that these lucky ladies should be the wives of three of the richest noblemen in the peerage. The Duchess of Westminster’s diamond is the famous "Nassac," and has been in the Grosvenor family’s possession for* many generations before the Westminster marquisate became a dukedom. Its weight , is 78 carats. It is practically priceless, as it could not be sold. Lady Dudley’s gem is that now called the “Star of South Africa," but it used to be known "as the “Dudley." Its weight' is 44£ carats, but before it was cut it weighed 38£. The diamond of the Duchess of Portland is named the “Portland," and is a square-shaped stone of the purest water. Its weight i* kept a secret in the family, but it is known to have been valued at ten thousand pounds. Of course, these diamonds only belong by courtesy to the different peeresses of the time. The ladies themselves have no property in them whatever, for they are heirlooms, and as such, form part of the family jewels. The peeresses of the moment have the right to wear them, nothing more. The wives of British and American millionaires can take consolation in the fact that, even though their diamonds may not be quite So fine, they are at least their very own to do what they please with.