The Curious Lore of Precious Stones

About this book

A gem may promise courage, guard its owner against poison or reveal the hour of danger. George Frederick Kunz follows such beliefs through the histories of diamonds, rubies, sapphires and countless less familiar stones.

The book gathers legends of birthstones, healing powers, royal jewels and talismanic uses from many periods and cultures. Kunz was a noted gem expert, and he treats the material as a field of historical inquiry, even when the claims are extravagant. Its wealth of anecdotes makes an ordinary jewel appear crowded with stories inherited from centuries of desire and fear.