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Throughout history, precious stones have inspired passions and
poetry, quests and curses, sacred writings and unsacred actions. In
this scintillating book, journalist Victoria Finlay embarks on her
own globe-circling search for the real stories behind some of the
gems we prize most. Blending adventure travel, geology, exciting
new research, and her own irresistible charm, Finlay has fashioned
a treasure hunt for some of the most valuable, glamorous, and
mysterious substances on earth.
With the same intense curiosity and narrative flair she displayed
in her widely-praised book Color, Finlay journeys from the
underground opal churches of outback Australia to the once
pearl-rich rivers of Scotland; from the peridot mines on an Apache
reservation in Arizona to the remote ruby mines in the mountains of
northern Burma. She risks confronting scorpions to crawl through
Cleopatra’s long-deserted emerald mines, tries her hand at gem
cutting in the dusty Sri Lankan city where Marco Polo bartered for
sapphires, and investigates a rumor that fifty years ago most of
the world’s amber was mined by prisoners in a Soviet gulag.
Jewels is a unique and often exhilarating voyage through history,
across cultures, deep into the earth’s mantle, and up to the
glittering heights of fame, power, and wealth. From the fabled
curse of the Hope Diamond, to the disturbing truths about how
pearls are cultured, to the peasants who were once executed for
carrying amber to the centuries-old quest by magicians and
scientists to make a perfect diamond, Jewels tells dazzling stories
with a wonderment and brilliance truly worthy of its
subjects.
From the Hardcover edition.
Best book on gems I have read.Reviewed by Larry A. Behnkendorf, 2009-12-06
In over 40 years of studying and reading about gemstones, this is the best book I have read. It's full of ripping good yarns which speak to history, culture, economics, psychology, and perception. The author's writing style makes the information flow and allows the reader to spend an afternoon with the book, or a few minutes.
A Very Interesting ReadReviewed by LH422, 2009-10-19
I must admit, I am captivated by jewels: their shine, their brilliance, their color. Thus, I was excited to read a history of jewels. Finlay's is a social history, examining how human beings have constructed the value of brilliant minerals. This is not a comprehensive study. Finlay has chosen a series of case studies, the research for which took her all over the globe, from Australia, to Russia, to Sri Lanka, to the American southwest. This is quite an interesting book, and it certainly does show that these stones that human beings so treasure have no inherent value. This is evident in the changing fortunes of so many stones, which have variously fallen in and out of favor. It also becomes clear through the course of Finlay's work, that stones have, and do, cause a tremendous amount of human suffering. Indeed, in the long history of gems there has been much more misery than fortune. Finlay's history is clearly narrative in nature. She is concerned with telling some of the most interesting stories behind the jewels. It is not a book that analyzes the larger social forces behind many of these changes. Still, this is an interesting book. Finlay gained access to many places most people cannot. She travelled to some of the most unforgiving parts of the world in search of the people who mine, cut, and sell valuable stones. Any jewelry-lover will likely find this book engaging.
Fascinating!Reviewed by J. Seidel, 2009-01-11
I may not own great jewels but it was so much fun to read this detailed volume and dream! I look forward to reading her work titled "Color" next.
JewelsReviewed by June Kolecki, 2008-10-17
I HAVEN'T QUITE FINISHED THIS BOOK...BUT VERY INTERESTING. lEARNING MANY FACTS AND HISTORY AND RELATIONSHIPS THAT SOMEONE COULD NOT KNOW...iT IS A GOOD READ, AND INFORMATIVE,,jk
Jewels is a True Gem of a BookReviewed by Julie Bakerville, 2008-10-14
Great book...Wonderful writing style. I have her other book
"Color".
I own a small handmade stone and pearl jewelry business so the
purchase was a must for me!
Am inspired by her inspiration of the stories and facts of gem
lore.
Her push via husband father in law as refrenced in the
Preface...
while in England at her father in laws memorial...Later taking a
walk with her husband as they were discussing her doing this book
or not and what her Father in law would tell her, that "you must do
it"... While looking down into the canal a small canal boat named
"Little GEM" happened to be going by just at that very
momnet...Later found out "that it was rare for Little Gem to be on
that stretch of the Thames: she is a weekend hire barge near Rugby,
and only very occasionally finds herself so far south." One of
Derek's (father in law) passions was canals and canal boats.
This world craves more great stories and inspiration to go along
with the
facts...Victoria, you have artfully written another gem!
Thanks...
