Travels in India (Tavernier) 59.6

59.6

Also two chains, one of pearls and rubies of different shapes pierced like the pearls ; the other of pearls and emeralds, round and bored. All the pearls are round and of diverse waters, and from ten to twelve (10 to 12) ratis each in weight. In the middle of the chain of rubies there is a large emerald of the “ old rock,” cut into a rectangle, and of high colour, but with many flaws. It weighs about thirty (30) ratis. In the middle of the chain of emeralds there is an Oriental amethyst, a long table, weighing about forty (40) ratis, and the perfection of beauty. Also a balass ruby cut in cabuchon, of fine colour and clean, pierced at the apex, and weighing seventeen (17) melscals. Six melscals make one once (French). Also another cabuchon ruby of perfect colour, but slightly flawed and pierced at the apex, which weighs twelve melscals. Also an Oriental topaz of very high colour cut in eight panels, which weighs six melscals, but on one side it has a small white fog within. These, then, are the jewels of the Great Mogul, which he ordered to be shown to me as a special favour which he has never manifested to any other Frank; and I have held them all in my hand, and examined them with sufficient attention and leisure to be enabled to assure the reader that the description which I have just given is very exact and faithful, as is that of the thrones, which I have also had sufficient time to contemplate thoroughly.