It is only within the last century that the Cingalese have become the most astute judges upon all matters relating to gems in their uncut or natural state. That this is so is proved by the number of remarkable stones which previously found their way to England, unrecognized as being of any value; amongst them is the stone in question. How it could have been passed over and treated by the merchants as of no value is a mystery, unless its great size contradicted the probability of its being a gem. Such, however, was the case ; it having been sent to England mixed with the ordinary pieces of inferior Rubies and Sapphires used by watchmakers. It was sold for a mere nominal sum, as a piece of Quartz, or Crystal, and passed into a private collection of minerals, the owner of which regarded it also as a specimen of Quartz.