Travels in India (Tavernier) 59.5

59.5

Also a perfectly round pearl of thirty-six and a half (36½) ratis, of a lively white, and perfect in every respect. It is the only jewel which Aurangzeb, who reigns at present, has himself purchased on account of its beauty, for the rest either came to him from Dara Shah, his eldest brother, and which he had appropriated, after he had caused his head to be cut off, or they were presents made to him after he ascended the throne. I have elsewhere remarked that this King has no great regard for jewels, priding himself only on being the great zealot of the law of Muhammad. Akil Khan also placed in my hands (for he allowed me to examine all at my ease) two other pearls, perfectly round and equal, each of which weighed twenty-five and a quarter (25¼) ratis. One is slightly yellow, but the other is of a very lively water, and the most beautiful that can be seen. It is true, as I have elsewhere said, that the Prince of Arabia, who has taken Muscat from the Portuguese, has a pearl which surpasses in beauty all others in the world ; for it is perfectly round, and so white and lively that it looks as though it was transparent, but it only weighs fourteen (14) carats. There is not a single monarch in Asia who has not asked this Prince of Arabia to sell him this pearl.