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Article: PERSIAN PAST IS EVOKED BY JEWELS.(News/National/International)
- Article from:
- Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO)
- Article date:
- April 13, 1997
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1997 Rocky Mountain News. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Dialog LLC by Gale Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Anwar Faruqi Associated Press
TEHRAN, Iran -- The Shah of Shahs is long gone, but his Peacock Throne remains, part of a stunning collection of crown jewels that evokes the imperial Persian past of today's revolutionary Iran.
Diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, pearls and other gems glitter in the tens of thousands in a cavernous walk-in vault at Bank Melli. Tourists are allowed to view the dazzling display as part of the Islamic government's effort to attract foreign visitors and their cash.
The collection contains more than half of the world's largest cut diamonds - some as big as walnuts.
The gem-encrusted Peacock Throne ...