File:Collier's new encyclopedia - a loose-leaf and self-revising reference work with 515 illustrations and ninety-six maps (1921) (14777426782).jpg

Identifier: colliersnewencyc03newy (find matches)
Title: Collier's new encyclopedia : a loose-leaf and self-revising reference work ... with 515 illustrations and ninety-six maps
Year: 1921 (1920s)
Authors:
Subjects: Encyclopedias and dictionaries
Publisher: New York : P. F. Collier
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Internet Archive

View Book Page: Book Viewer
About This Book: Catalog Entry
View All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.

Text Appearing Before Image:
the gems is controlled by the government. The total value of all the diamonds known to exist in the world to-day is at least $1,000,000,000. It may safely be said that one-third of all the diamonds known are owned in the United States. Most of the great diamonds distinguished for beauty and size have very interesting histories. One of the most famous is the Koh-i-Nur, or Koohinoor, Mountain of Light. The legend is that it was carried 5,000 years ago by the hero Kama, whose deeds are celebrated in the Mahabharata. It made its first appearance in history in the 14th century, when Ala-ed-din brought it to Delhi. At that time it was supposed to weigh 793 carats. When in 1673 the Grand Mogul sold it to Tavernier, it weighed only 279 carats, having been injured by the lack of skill of a Venetian lapidary. It was brought in 1739 at the sack of Delhi to Afghanistan. Thence it came into the possession of the East India Company, which presented it in 1850 to the English Crown. It was re-cut in DIAMOND 348 DIAMOND
Text Appearing After Image:
FAMOUS DIAMONDS 1. Southern Star 2. Southern Star 3. Great Mogul 4. Florentina 5. Koh-i-Nur 6. Koh-i-Nur (new cutting) 7. Regent or Pitt 8. Orloff DIAMOND 349 DIANA 1852 and now weighs 100 1-16 carats.What was at the time said to be thelargest stone in the world was sent toLondon from the Jagersfontein minesin South Africa in 1893. It weighed971 carats, or nearly half a pound.Another weighed 640 carats. Anotherimportant diamond was set in the poi tof the scepter of the Russian empire,known as the Orloff, which weighs 194%carats. One time it formed the eye ofan idol in the temple of Seringham inMysore, whence it was stolen. It wasin the throne of Nadir Shah, and afterhis murder it was bought by an Arme-nian merchant in 1772 at the price of450,000 silver rubles and the title ofnobility. By the gift of Prince Orloff,a favorite of Catherine II., from whomit derived its name, it came into her pos-session. The supposed great diamond ofthe King of Portugal, 1,770 carats, ismythical; or rathe

Note About Images