SHAM JEWELS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue II, 11 July 1896, Page 59

SHAM JEWELS.

' A LOT of Parisian diamonds and sham jewels stolen ; what is the are of taking such things ?’ has no doubt been a question asked many times. A representative of the Westminster Budget has been able to obtain the following information concerning the value and manufacture of such things.

‘ If you were to have a tenth of the value of the “ sham jewellery," as it is so often called, now in this shop,’ said Mr B , in reply to a remark, * you would have had a handsome present.' * Then there is real value in such things ?’ * I should rather think so. Just take this tiara, for example,’ and the speaker placed in my hands a handsome morocco case containing a tiara composed of imitation diamonds and turquoises. It was very handsome, but I was certainly surprised—remembering that the stones were not real—to find that it would make a big hole in £250 ere I could have taken it away as mine, should I have wished to do so. * The setting alone,’ resumed Mr B , after I had admired it sufficiently, ‘has actually cost between £6O and £7O. And the stones are the very best grade manufactured. Indeed, were Ito place it alongside a real tiara of similar description as regards setting, make, and size, I do not for an instant think that you would be able to detect the difference.* * Now,* he said, taking ont a marvellous pearl necklet, three rows of beautifully graduated pearls, the largest as big as small marbles, and the smallest about the size of medium-sized peas, * what do you think that these “ worthless ” imitation pearls would cost you if—well, if you wished to make a present of them to a lady friend ?’

'Oh, about a £5 note, I suppose,’ I hazarded, after due consideration, seeing that there was no setting to be taken into consideration.

‘Just six times that figure,’ was the smiling reply. * And I could only offer you them at that price because they have been returned on our hands by a customer who changed his mind. They are very fine, and are really worth more. Their value if real ?’ continued the speaker, repeating the substance of my remark. ‘ Well, somewhere about 5,000 guineas, I should say; that is, if you could succeed in getting three such rows together. Yon know the Duchess of W’s pearls are considered almost unique; we have recently made several duplicate sets of pearl ornaments for her, so that when travelling she need not run the risk of taking her real ones about with her. Of course, no one would suspect her of wearing “shams,” and certainly no one would be able, save an expert, to detect the difference. You are very sceptical!’ exclaimed the speaker, going to a large safe and taking out a case.

‘ Now be so good as to tell me which of these three rows of pearls are the real ones. One row is false. They belong to a lady who very much wanted a third row, but found that it would be far too costly save in imitation.'

I took the case in my hands, and walking to the light I examined the contents very carefully. After a minute or two Mr B asked me what I thought. * I can see no actual difference,’ I replied, * but I fancy that this row,’ pointing out the middle of the three, ‘is the one recently added.’

* Wrong !’ exclaimed the jeweller laconically, and not entirely without satisfaction, unless his face and tone belied him. * But, after all, I must admit that these three rows have actually deceived an expert.’ • Now, with some of our diamond work it is exactly the same. Here is a necklet and pendant selling at £4O. which if real would cost at the least £6OO. And I would not mind any lady wearing real

«tones in close proximity to it. In fact, a lady of title, who was once on the stage, has recently had a necklet of rubies and diamonds from us to wear with a real pendant of the same stones.’ * Which are the most easily counterfeited gems?* I inquired. * Those which rely on their colour, like turquoises, cafe-eyes, moonstones, and chrysophases, rather than on their brilliance, for good effect. Of course these stones are, therefore, less expensive.’

* There are a good many processes, all differing slightly at all events from each other. Acids play a very important part in most cases. Imitation rubies, for example, are frequently made by the joining of a piece of good “paste" (glass) with a piece of garnet. TheXadhesion is accomplished by a mucilage made of balsam, which is coloured so as to diffuse whatever tint is required through the paste. Two pieces of rock crystal joined together with balsam are opals, and turquoises are often made of a very fine enamel. Diamonds are made in many ways. The more expensive are frequently “ doublets," a thin sheet of a real gem joined to a base of paste. The Cape of Good Hope supplies large quantities of a stone which, treated by an acid process, makes excellent imitation cat'seyes, and with the addition of an aniline dye, the rarer pink ones.

HOW FAMOUS AUTHORS COMPOSED. Bulwer wrote his first novels while attired in full dress.

Bossuet composed his grand sermons on his knees.

Aristotle awoke early and worked nntil he slept. Tasso wrote bis finest pieces in the lucid intervals of madness.

Caesar composed his famous Commentaries, it is said, on horseback. Bacon knelt down before composing his great work, and prayed for light from heaven.

La Fontaine wroteh is * Fables ’ chiefly under the shade of a tree, and sometimes by the side of Racine and Boileau.

Voltaire was a most impatient writer, and usually had the first half of a work set up in type before the second half was written.

Camoens composed his verses with the roar of battle in his ears, for the Portuguese poet was a soldier, and a brave one. Pope never could compose well without first declaiming for some time at the top of his voice, and thus rousing his nervous system to its fullest activity. Calvin studied in his bed. Every morning at five or six o’clock he had books, manuscripts, and papers carried to him there, and he worked on for hours together.

Luther, when studying, always had his dog at his feet, and an ivory crucifix on the table before him.