gems, gemology, history of gemology, gem testing, mineralogy, early mineralogy, jasper, topaz, amber, gem formation

German mining engineer, mineralogist, and geologist; born in Freiberg, Saxony. He earned a medical degree and briefly practiced medicine before abandoning it in favor of the earth sciences, metallurgy, and chemistry. He was appointed Mining Councillor by Augustus II the Strong. Henkel was noted for his chemical research on porcelain and for analyses of vegetable substances. He assembled an extensive collection of minerals and fossils, which was eventually transferred to Saint Petersburg. A prolific author, he is discussed in Poggendorff (Vol. I, p. 1065), Biographisches Wörterbuch (Vol. 20, pp. 59–60), and the Dictionary of Scientific Biography (Vol. 6, pp. 259–260).

gems, jade, Fischer-Book

Der auffrichtige Jubelier is an anonymous early eighteenth-century German handbook for jewelers dealing with precious stones, pearls, and the practical knowledge required in the jewelry trade. It discusses the principal varieties of gems, their characteristics, qualities, defects, and values, together with methods used to distinguish genuine stones from imitations and altered materials. The work also addresses aspects of buying, selling, and evaluating jewels, reflecting the practical concerns of contemporary merchants and craftsmen rather than purely mineralogical classification. It is of particular interest to the history of gemology because it documents the empirical methods, terminology, valuation practices, and commercial knowledge employed by German-speaking jewelers in the early eighteenth century.

gems, jade, Fischer-Book, amulets, talismans

Peter Friedrich Arpe’s De prodigiosis naturae et artis operibus is an early 18th-century scholarly examination of talismans, amulets, and objects believed to possess extraordinary natural or artificial powers. Drawing upon classical, medieval, Arabic, and early modern authorities, Arpe surveys writings on magical and protective objects and critically considers the claims made for their effects. Precious and engraved stones occupy an important place in these traditions, particularly gems bearing figures, symbols, astrological signs, or inscriptions and believed to confer protection, healing, good fortune, or other powers upon their owners. The work is of particular interest to historians of gemology for its treatment of magical gems and engraved talismans and for its extensive review of earlier lapidary and occult literature, documenting the persistence and scholarly reassessment of such beliefs in early 18th-century Europe.

gems, history of gemology, Japan, China, early lapidary, ancient gemology, jade, coral, agate, rock crystal, glass, lapis lazuli

Sinkankas: The lapidary extracted from this work is reproduced by them in the usual reversed-text order, p. 144 top l., with many small woodcut figures in the text. A detailed commentary appears after the preliminaries on p. 1–150, with material on precious stones 56–67, but with ornamental stones on later pages, as in the case of diamond, on p. 124–125. Notes on gemstones are also provided on p. 178–188, while the stones themselves are identified on p. 253–264, i.e., jade, coral, petrified coral, agate, rock crystal, sagenite, glass, lapis lazuli (?), talc (or nacre?), fluorite (or amethyst?), and several ornamental stones. The notes frequently cite Les produits de la nature japonaise et chinoise, and Beiträge zur Geschichte der Edelsteine und des Goldes.

gems, corundum, history.1, ancient lapidaries, diamond, coral, pearl

Jean-Baptiste Panthot’s Traité des Dragons et des Escarboucles is a late 17th-century French treatise examining traditions concerning dragons and the legendary carbuncle, a brilliant precious stone believed to shine with its own light and sometimes said to occur in or upon the heads of dragons and other creatures. Panthot considers accounts from classical, medieval, and contemporary authorities and discusses whether such creatures and luminous stones could exist in nature. Of particular interest to historians of gemology, the work explores the carbuncle tradition and contemporary ideas concerning exceptionally luminous red gemstones, while illustrating the persistence of fabulous lapidary lore alongside increasingly critical approaches to natural history. It provides an unusual example of the intersection of gemology, zoology, folklore, medicine, and natural philosophy at the end of the 17th century.

gems, jade, Fischer-Book, early gemology, early mineralogy

Sinkankas: The most important poem, or hymn, for the gemologist is the Lithica, where in 770 lines the virtues of some thirty gems are set forth with considerable allusion to magic...From the content, the form, the viewpoint and the style of this poem, it is most apparent the composer could only have lived...before the Emperor Constantine and not long after Emperor Valentine."

gems, corundum, Afghanistan.12, history.1,Tajikistan.12, nomenclature

Jean Chardin’s A New and Accurate Description of Persia is an English account of Safavid Persia based on the author’s extensive travels and residence there. Chardin describes the country’s geography, government, court, religion, customs, cities, architecture, manufactures, commerce, and natural products, drawing heavily on firsthand observation. As a trained jeweler and gem merchant, he provides particularly valuable information on precious stones, pearls, jewelry, goldsmithing, gem cutting, valuation, and the trade in luxury goods, including materials reaching Persia from India and other parts of Asia. His observations on gems and jewelry are among the most important 17th-century European accounts of the subject, combining a merchant’s practical knowledge with detailed descriptions of the Safavid court and international trade. The work is consequently a major source for the history of gemology, jewelry, and the gemstone trade in Persia and western Asia.

gems, corundum, history.1, Indian gemology, Indian mineralogy, history of gemology, history of mineralogy, diamond, , Indian lapidary

Sinkankas: This work is highly valued by historians and geographers for its rich and detailed descriptions of the regions visited by Jean-Baptiste Tavernier between 1631 and 1668, including the landscapes, cultures, and political figures he encountered during a time when dependable reports from the Near East and Asia were rare. While some have questioned the accuracy of his accounts, scholars such as William Crooke and Valentine Ball have largely defended Tavernier’s reliability, particularly when tested against modern research. In the realm of gemology, his observations have stood the test of time, especially regarding his dealings in large, high-quality gemstones—an area of expertise that reflects his success as a jeweler in Paris and his deliberate travels to acquire and sell precious stones to European royalty. His accounts are organized into five books on Turkey and Persia and three on India, the latter being of particular interest. Key chapters describe the jewels of the Great Mughal Aurangzeb, the diamond mines of India including Raolconda, the trade’s measurement systems, and details on colored gemstones, pearls, coral, amber, and medicinal materials. Tavernier is credited with the earliest descriptions of several legendary gems, including the Great Mogul, the Koh-i-Noor, and the Florentine diamonds. His “Tavernier Blue,” sold to the French royal house, is believed to be the origin of the Hope Diamond. Notably, his works include some of the earliest visual representations of famous diamonds and gemstones, with detailed engraved plates depicting these remarkable treasures, adding further historical and gemological value to his narrative.This work is highly valued by historians and geographers for its rich and detailed descriptions of the regions visited by Jean-Baptiste Tavernier between 1631 and 1668, including the landscapes, cultures, and political figures he encountered during a time when dependable reports from the Near East and Asia were rare. While some have questioned the accuracy of his accounts, scholars such as William Crooke and Valentine Ball have largely defended Tavernier’s reliability, particularly when tested against modern research. In the realm of gemology, his observations have stood the test of time, especially regarding his dealings in large, high-quality gemstones—an area of expertise that reflects his success as a jeweler in Paris and his deliberate travels to acquire and sell precious stones to European royalty. His accounts are organized into five books on Turkey and Persia and three on India, the latter being of particular interest. Key chapters describe the jewels of the Great Mughal Aurangzeb, the diamond mines of India including Raolconda, the trade’s measurement systems, and details on colored gemstones, pearls, coral, amber, and medicinal materials. Tavernier is credited with the earliest descriptions of several legendary gems, including the Great Mogul, the Koh-i-Noor, and the Florentine diamonds. His “Tavernier Blue,” sold to the French royal house, is believed to be the origin of the Hope Diamond. Notably, his works include some of the earliest visual representations of famous diamonds and gemstones, with detailed engraved plates depicting these remarkable treasures, adding further historical and gemological value to his narrative.

gems, jade, Fischer-Book

Robert Boyle’s Specimen de Gemmarum origine et virtutibus is a Latin edition of his experimental study of the origin, physical properties, and supposed virtues of gemstones. Boyle examines contemporary theories of gem formation and considers properties such as hardness, transparency, color, specific gravity, and responses to heat and chemical agents, drawing upon experiments, observations, travelers’ reports, and earlier lapidary literature. He discusses diamonds and numerous colored stones while critically examining traditional claims concerning the medicinal and supernatural powers attributed to gems. The work is important in the development of gemology because it approaches gemstones increasingly through observation and experiment rather than relying solely upon classical authority and traditional lore, reflecting the broader transition toward experimental natural philosophy in the 17th century.

gems, gemology, diamond, diamond mines, India, Burma, Pegu, Borneo, ruby

The parts of the World known to contain Diamonds, are the Island Borneo, and the Continent of India extra & intra Gangem; Pegu is likewise reported to have several, but the King not potent, his Country being but thinly inhabited, contents himself with his Mines of Rich Metals, Gold, Silver, Brass, Tin and Lead, and several other Commodities his Country affords, in great plenty, rather than to suffer new enquiries to be made, lest the discovery of such an additional Treasure should invite some of his Neighbours, more potent, to invade him. But leaving the description of other places to those that know them better, I shall only keep myself to the Coast of Coromandel, with which I am acquainted, and having visited several of its Mines, am able to say something thereof Experimentally.