Page 5 Advertisements Column 3

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13325, 3 November 1906, Page 5 (Supplement)

In the Louvre Museum in Paris, a pearl necklace lies dying. It is an historical ornament, the last owner of which was Ma4ame Thiers, and its intrinsic va.lue is £1200. Experts say that the necklace is doomed 'Slowly but surely the 145 pearls of whii% it is composed are losing their " orierT' It is explained that the necklace has we hi lying for years on red velvet, the dye fr O, V which has, it is said, a deleterious effee*- j)on the pearls. Of course it is a fact that pearls must be worn to refiun their original sheen. Moreover, the case in which it is displayed stands near a window, and a strong continuous'light, it seems, is also harmful to pearls. It is understood; that the powers that be at the Louvre would not be disinclined to part with the gems and buy pictures with the proceeds; but the terms under which the relic has teen acquired strictly forbid alienation, and soothe Paris jewellers regard the living necklace as a valuable experiment with free admission, and thev are carefully watching the gradual discolouration of the pearls which in course of time will turn completely) black, and then, of course, are valueless a; gems. ;