RUSSIA'S JEWELS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4944, 26 February 1926, Page 2

RUSSIA'S JEWELS.

TSAR’S CROWN TO BE SOLD.

- SOVIET GOVERNMENT’S ACTION.

The Imperial Qtown of Russia, which weighs 51b, contains 4000 s carats of diamonds, and it? worth about £3,000,000, is shortly to be hold, 'either entire or piecemeal, to the . highest bidder in New York, says the correspondent in that city of * the London “Daily Chronicle.’’ Agents of the Soviet Government are to visit America, in connection with the Sale, which will also include other magnificent objects, and jewels from the old regalia of the Tsars. Among them is the Imperial' gold sceptre, which contains the famous Orloff diamond, weighing 189 carats. . Another is the gold and dia.mdnd .gmblem of Imperial state, containing a.. 157-carat sapphire. Two coronets worn by the Empress*, each consisting of diamonds valued at £BOO,OOO, are also among the treasures to be sold, with two huge diamond chains, used ' by the Emperor, valued at £900,000; the Shah’s diamond of 89 carats, worth nearly £3.000.000'; and an Indian sapphire of 258 carats, surrounded by diamonds,,valued at .over £2,000,000. ' ■ The collection, which, of course, does 'not include the whole of the Imperial jewels, is apprised at the value of £50,000,000'. This is said to be the gross market worth of the pieces, quite apart from historic and sentimental value. The Imperial Crown was made for the Empress Catherine the Grea.t, and isi the curious turban- -; shaped diadem pictured on the postage stamps and in all, the Imperial . insigna of the o]d Russian regime.