h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

And does know in advance what is the most valuable piece of jewelry? That is, does he need something to replace being able to see the jewels and picking the one he knows to be more preciouss, or can any happy-go-lucky without a clue go to the jewelry reserve and find out there and then which one he or she should take?

>>I know I didn't. And for a very good reason.<<

http://imgsrv.gocomics.com/dim/?fh=9f6357ddf0c503c1360b4cc71290adc8

Well he knows what he's expecting to find because he took this item with him by which to identify it. QED but essentially he's happy-go-lucky, and he'll take what he can get find, it's not like he's after a named piece like the Kohi-Nor diamond or something...

Hee -Hee - Hee.

The reason is it satisfies no such binary choice. It is both.

But what if the aristocrat doesn't have that specific item? There still will be a most valuable thing.

Sorry, I think your post answered the question

But I have to eat dinner now, I'm starving. Amusingly, I do have potatoes on the menu.

I bet glow worms & money spiders are attracted to blue lights, too -?

Surely not a tulip bulb there?

Then the will go home empty handed and try a different mansion another night.

All this intellectual lguessowrk does take it out of one. I'm on my (one-two-three) - FOURTH! cup of tea.

glow worms, money spiders and tulip bulbs: inspired suggestions all - and not even close to the right answer.

is this jewellrey finely carved crystal rock salt and very expensive at the time, all he would have needed was a sense of taste and lick the gems to find ou if they were salt

Is it ivory? Touching it with something hot would give off a sulphurous smell.

Can't really see that, as ivory had been around a lot longer, but I'll throw it in anyway.

An inspired idea, but not this time Taff.

For one thing you couldn't go out in it if it was raining...

Not ivory - but you're getting the idea, what else might jewellery be made from?

Potato?

Rare wood? Fish scale?

so its not taste, is it any of the human senses??

we have knocked out sight touch and taste so is it smell??

That was your dinner?

Not especially the item would indicate the presence of the valuable jewellery all by itself. I suppose, at a stretch you'd hear it make a small noise.

Ah, Athanasius Kircher's subtle listening device, to find out what was the most valuable from hearing people discuss it

http://www.floraberlin.de/soundbag/sbimages/kircher.gif

Something to do with coral, perhaps? That gets its sheen from the oils absorbed when it's being worn, so perhaps they'd have someone to wear the pieces for them (under clothing) when they're not being used?

So sharp you'd cut yourself but no.