LOST DIAMONDS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 887, 7 March 1907, Page 22

LOST DIAMONDS.

At what figure can we esrimate the diamonds that get lost? One can only reply approximately. Although it seems enormous, it appears that one can place at 15 per cent, the diamonds that no longer belong to anybody. When a stone goes astray it generally occurs that, if the owner does not find it again, it has fallen into other hands. It is not lost to commerce.

It is not thus, however, when a dismond, badly set, for examp’e, falls to the ground. At least, unless it be of size sufficiently important to attract attention, one must see there is little chance of it being saved. In the city it goes directly into the gutter, and thence to the sewer. In the country, on the main road, it becomes covered up by the pebbles and earth that are stirred up by vehicles and pedestrians. One can feel sure in this case Tie gems

are les; to the world, and will never return to usefulness.

But, one may say, we are still far from the 15 per cent, given as the actual loss of diamond. That is true, but it is necessary to take into account numerous other sources of loss, such as those occurring in fires, ship-wreck, etc. Again, there are persons who express in their wills the formal desire to be decorated with their jewels when dead. This is customary in some countries.

The Bank of France every year has a big ba'ance coming from bills that are never presented for payment. It is, therefore, not at all surprising that the same should happen with preciou’ stones. Tn thi- reckoning are not computed the losses arismg from recutting. The splintered fragments and pieces are serviceable still in some way or other. One might mention the 25 per cent, indicated by the loss on rose-cut stones. Of all stones these roses show the greatest loss.—Le Daimant.