Which addresses the precautions that must be taken by those who buy pearls.

Translated by Lizabeth Paravisini-Gebert

May neither the reader nor the merchant be displeased by what I am about to say, since I offer a caution to assure pearls may be sold without deceit, and it is not that this chronicler wishes to be thanked for trying to prevent fraud, but rather for assuring that good quality pearls be sold for their fair price, and those that are cracked may fetch what they’re worth; as pots or glasses of little value can be discarded as dubious potsherds. What I am to say or explain now I learned from experience, and after a significant loss of money, from not having understood it before I bought some pearls and not having understood it so clearly until I had been familiar with the business for some time. Many pearls pass as good ones when they are not and they can deceive eyes blinded by their shine and size and other deceiving features, because even if they are cracked or damaged by a blow or some other accident, one cannot see the defect, except by taking them between one’s fingers and holding them in the sunlight, so the sun shines on them; and then you will see some that are broken or cracked in the interior or secret or marrow of the pearl, or if they have a hairline crack as a result of this, shown so clearly that you will not have any need to consult a jeweler or a master or an expert to understand whether they are intact or have a defect or not, so that, once this is seen and understood, you can without scruples set the price or estimate that should be applied to such jewels or pearls. And enough on this subject.