The Curious Lore of Precious Stones

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THE CURIOUS LORE OF PRECIOUS STONES GEORGE FREDERICK KUNZ Precious and semi-precious stones have many qualities beyond their physical attributes. They have remarkable monetary value, and in the opinion of most of mankind, from the earliest recorded times to the present, they have abilities and characteristics that can only be termed magical. Agate, for instance: Cardan believed that it cured insomnia; an airship designed in 1709 by a Brazilian priest planned to use agates as antigravity devices. Amber: ancient Greeks thought it the fossilized tears of Indián birds, weeping over the death of Meleager. Amethyst: believed to prevent drunkenness and to cool sexual passión. Beryl: in the Middle Ages it helped one in battle or law suits, rendered one amiable, intelligent, and dihgent. Rubies: divided by the ancients into male and female stones, they could make water boil, it was believed, and could protect one's fruit trees from tempests -as long as they were uncontaminated. Dr. Kunz,... Tovább

Fülszöveg

THE CURIOUS LORE OF PRECIOUS STONES GEORGE FREDERICK KUNZ Precious and semi-precious stones have many qualities beyond their physical attributes. They have remarkable monetary value, and in the opinion of most of mankind, from the earliest recorded times to the present, they have abilities and characteristics that can only be termed magical. Agate, for instance: Cardan believed that it cured insomnia; an airship designed in 1709 by a Brazilian priest planned to use agates as antigravity devices. Amber: ancient Greeks thought it the fossilized tears of Indián birds, weeping over the death of Meleager. Amethyst: believed to prevent drunkenness and to cool sexual passión. Beryl: in the Middle Ages it helped one in battle or law suits, rendered one amiable, intelligent, and dihgent. Rubies: divided by the ancients into male and female stones, they could make water boil, it was believed, and could protect one's fruit trees from tempests -as long as they were uncontaminated. Dr. Kunz, America's foremost gemmologist, long consultant to Tiffany's, prepared the definitive book on this fascinating, traditional gem lore. Ranging over a wide wealth of sources-oral, ancient lapidary manuals from the Middle Ages, Greek and Román geographical accounts, the Eddas, archeological discoveries in Egypt, the Bible, orientál gem books, travelers* accounts in the primitive world, historical documentation of the fated gems of the world-he provides an unmatched account of the inner lift of the gem. Among the larger topics which he covers are: exotic beliefs about gems, the use of gems as amulets and talismans, carved and engraved magical stones (including scarabs), luminous stones, stones of illőmén, crystal balls and crystal gazing (scrying), the religious use of gems in many traditions, birth stones, the astrological meaning of precious stones, the magical and therapeutic value of gems, and much else. Unabridged republication of the 1913 edition. 6 color plates, 57 black and white plates. Index, xiv -f- 406pp. 5$/s x 8i/2. 22227-6 Paperbound A DOVER EDITION DESIGNED FOR YEARS OF USE! We have made every effort to make this the best book possible. Our paper is opaque, with minimai show-through; it will not discolor or become brittle with age. Pages are sewft in signatures, in the method traditionally used for the besc books, and will not drop out, as often happens with paperbacks held together with glue. Books open fiat for easy reference. The binding will not crack or split. This is a permanent book. Vissza