This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1916 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV REPAIRING AND RECUTTING AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE VALUE OF SOME DIAMONDS "They are square and pointed of their own kind, both above and beneath, without work of man's hand; and they grow together, male and female, and are nourished by the dew of heaven; and they engender commonly and bring forth small children, that multiply and grow all the year. I have oftentimes tried the experiment, that if a man keep them with a little of the rock, and wet them with May-dew often, they shall grow every year, and the small will grow great; for right as the fine pearl congeals and grows great by the dew of heaven, right so doth the true diamond; and right as the pca*l of its own nature takes roundness, so the diamond, by virtue of God, takes squareness."--The Voyages and Travels of Sir John Maundeville. THE previous chapters on colour, flaws, and make in connection with the value of diamonds have been of general application. The present chapter, dealing as it does with repairing and recutting, does not apply to every diamond, but only to the few stones that come to grief or to those which for one reason or another were not well made when originally cut. Notwithstanding the fact that it is, only occasionally that a dealer in dia-1 monds is called upon to use his knowledge of what may be done in the way of repairing or recutting, there is considerable need of an adequate knowledge of the matter for use on such occasions. Many jewellers have suffered unnecessary losses through lack of a complete understanding of the possibilities. Some attempt will therefore be made to acquaint those who may lack experience, with the usual kinds of injuries that occur to diamonds and with the possibilities as to the repair of such injuries and the effect upon...