Immense Value Placed Upon Gems by the Ancients
The immense value placed by the ancients on their gems can be estimated by the scabbard of Mithridates, valued at 400 talents, or £7,572; the pearl given by Julius Cæsar to Servillia was worth £4,800; that swallowed by Cleopatra valued at £5,000; and the pearls and emeralds worn by Lollia Paulina, wife of Caligula, valued at £320,000.