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The Pigott: Europe
This tragical end of what Mawe calls a "diamond of the first water, and ranking amongst the finest in Europe," entirely escaped the notice of Dieulafait Kluge, and other writers on Precious Stones. All of them continued to speak of it as still in existence, Emanuel shrewdly remarking that "the present owner is not known!"
This circumstance also accounts for the astonishing differences of opinion that prevail regarding the size of a stone which has been seen by no expert since the time when it passed out of the hands of Messrs. Rundell & Co. Murray gives its weight at 47 1/2 carats; Dieulafait at 81 1/2; Emanuel at 82 1/4; and Kluge at 82 1/2. But Mawe, who was personally acquainted with the stone, and who wrote before it was sold to Ali Pasha, tells us distinctly that, "its weight is 49 carats," and this statement must be accepted as final. The same writer describes it as "a brilliant of great surface, both in table and girdle, but is considered not of sufficient depth," and is, therefore, also lacking in brilliancy.