The six voyages of John Baptista Tavernier, Baron of Aubonne through Turky, into Persia and the East-Indies, for the space of forty years : giving an account of the present state of those countries, viz. of the religion, government, customs, and commerce of every country, and the figures, weight, and value of the money currant all over Asia : to which is added A new description of the Seraglio / made English by J.P. ; added likewise, A voyage into the Indies, &c. by an English traveller, never before printed ; publish'd by Dr. Daniel Cox

CHAP. XX. The Forms of twenty Rubies which the Author sold to the King upon his last return from the Indies. The first part of the Plate shews the weight, extent, and thickness of every Stone.

Numb. 1.

IS the Figure of a Ruby that belongs to the King of Persia. It is in shape and bigness like an Egg, boar'd through in the middle, deep colour'd, fair and clean, except one flaw in the side. They will not tell you what it cost, nor let you know what it weighs; only it appears by the Register that it has been several years in the Kings Treasury.

Numb. 2.

Is the Figure of a Balleis Ruby; sold for such to Giaser-Kan, the Great Mo∣guls Uncle, who paid 950000 Roupies, or 1425000 Livres for it. But an old In∣dian Jeweller affirming afterwards, that it was no Balleis Ruby, that it was not worth above 500 Roupies, and that Giafer-kan was cheated; and his opinion being confirm'd by Sha-jehan, the most skilful in Jewels of any person in the Empire, Aureng-zeb compell'd the Merchant to take it again, and to restore the Money back.

Numb. 3, and 4.

Is is the Figure of Ruby belonging to the King of Visapour. Numb. 4, is the height of the Stone above the Gold. And Numb. 3, is the roundness of the

Beazil. It weighs fourteen Mangelins, or seventeen Carats and a half; a Visa∣pour Mangelin being but five Grains. It cost the King 14200 new Pagods, or 74550 Livres.

Numb. 5.

Is the Figure of a Ruby that a Banian shew'd me at Banarous; it weighs 58 Rati's, or 50 Carats and 3 quarters; being of the second rank in beauty. In shape it is like a Plump Almond, bor'd through at the end. I offer'd 40000 Roupies, or 60000 Livres for it; but the Merchant demanded 55000 Roupies.

Numb. 6.

Is the Figure of a great Topaz belonging to the Great Mogul; nor did I see him wear any other but that, all the while I was in India. This Topaz weighs 181 Rati's and half a quarter, or 157 Carats and three quarters. It was bought at Goa for the Great Mogul, and cost 181000 Roupies, or 271500 Livres of our Money.

Numb. 7, 8, 9.

Are the Figures of three several Rubies belonging to the King of France.

Numb. 1.

Is the Figure of a Pearl which the King of Persia bought at the Fishery of Catifa in Arabia. It cost him 82000 Tomans, or 1400000 Livres of our Money, at forty-six Livres and six Deneers to a Toman. It is the fairest and most per∣fect Pearl that ever was yet found to this hour, having no defect.

Numb. 2.

Is the Figure of the biggest Pearl that ever I saw in the Court of the Great Mogul. It hangs about the artificial Peacocks neck that adorns his great Throne.

Numb. 3.

Is the Figure of a Pearl that I sold to Cha-Est-Kan; the Water is some∣what saint, but it is the biggest Pearl that was ever carried out of Europe into Asia.

Numb. 4.

Is a great perfect Pearl, as well for its Water as for its form, which is like an Olive. It is in the midst of a Chain of Emraulds and Rubies, which the Great Mogul wears; which being put on, the Pearl dangles at the lower part of his Breast.

Numb. 5.

Is a Pearl perfectly round, the biggest I ever saw, and belongs to the Great Mogul. The like could never be found; for which reason the Great Mogul lays it up very charily, and never uses it. For if it could be match'd, both would make a Pair of Pendants for the Ears, set between Rubies or Emraulds, accor∣ding to the custom of the Country; there being no person of any quality that does not wear a Pearl between two colour'd Stones in his Ear.

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The forme of three Balais Rubies belonging to his Majestie transparent quite through.

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