gems, turquoise, Iran, Persia, Persian turquoise

Farsistan is a literary travel account presenting scenes, observations, and legends from Persia, framed as extracts from the diary of a British traveller. The work combines descriptions of Persian landscapes, cities, customs, society, and historical associations with stories and traditions connected with the places visited. Of particular gemological interest is a section on the turquoise mines (pp. 68–76), providing an early nineteenth-century account of this important Persian gemstone resource.

gems, gemology, lapidary

Sinkankas: An extremely rare work on gemstones that emphasizes practical aspects of lapidary treatment and other matters that would be of value to the tradesman and jewelry maker. It is further remarkable for including a chapter on the methods by which Indian lacquerware is manufactured, which of course has nothing to do with gems. Gemma discusses the origin of gemstones in the first chapter, considering at length Robert Boyle’s statements on the same as given in his Exercitatio de Origine et Viribus Gemmarum, supporting some and disputing others. Other citations and quotations from authorities appear throughout the text. Other topics treated include the magical and curative powers of gemstones, physical properties, color and its enhancement by use of foils, the pricing of gems, the manufacture of doublets, artificially colored and imitation gems, and substitutes. One chapter is devoted to “figures” in stones, that is, clouds or swarms of inclusions, banding, and other markings which resemble human or other figures, shells in fossiliferous limestones, insects in amber, and stars in star stones. All of these are treated soberly as natural manifestations and are not thought to be magical or miraculous in nature as had been done not too long before Gemma’s time. Another chapter treats petrification due to mineralized waters. From the practical viewpoint, this work is especially rich in details on the cutting of gemstones and the equipment required to do so, including the art of gem engraving. Gem-cutting equipment then in use is described in minute detail, as well as a process for classifying raw tripoli to make it useful as a polishing agent. In all respects this admirable, reasoned work deserves greater recognition.

gems, Arabic mineralogy, early lapidaries

Jawāhir-nāmah-i Niẓāmī [جواهرنامه نظامی; Niẓāmī’s Gem Treatise], composed by Muḥammad ibn Abī al-Barakāt al-Jawharī al-Nīshābūrī, is an important medieval Persian treatise on precious stones, minerals, and related substances. The work describes numerous gems and ornamental materials, discussing their names, varieties, geographical sources, physical characteristics, desirable and defective qualities, methods of identification, and medicinal or other properties attributed to them. It also preserves information concerning the valuation and commerce of precious stones and draws upon earlier Arabic and Persian lapidary traditions while incorporating observations relevant to contemporary practice. The treatise is particularly valuable to historians of gemology for its Persian gemological terminology and its evidence for the identification, provenance, testing, grading, and use of gemstones in the medieval Islamic world. The modern Tehran edition was edited by Iraj Afshar and Mohammad Rasul Daryagasht.

gems, jade, China, Adam, Chinese jade books, jade lore, Fischer-Chinese

The Shuowen Jiezi [說文解字; Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters], compiled by Xu Shen during the Eastern Han dynasty and presented to the imperial court in 121 CE, is the earliest surviving systematic dictionary of Chinese characters and a fundamental source for the historical study of Chinese writing. The work analyzes approximately 9,350 characters, with more than 1,100 variant forms, arranging them under 540 graphic radicals and explaining their forms, meanings, and, where appropriate, pronunciations. Xu Shen classified characters according to traditional principles of character formation and frequently drew upon ancient scripts and early textual usage. Of particular interest to gemologists is the extensive treatment of characters associated with jade, minerals, stones, metals, colors, and other natural substances, particularly those grouped under the jade radical 玉. These definitions provide important evidence for the terminology, classification, and perceived properties of jade and related materials in early China and are invaluable for interpreting mineralogical and gemological terms occurring in ancient Chinese texts.

corundum, Sri Lanka.12, gems

A German-language film by Eduard J. Gübelin on Ceylon (Sri Lanka), whose traditional name Lanka is reflected in the title, “Island of the Lion Folk.” The film documents the island, its people, landscapes, and gemological interests, likely including its celebrated gemstone deposits and gem trade.

corundum, treatments.6, inclusions.5, gems

Nice video lecture of gemologist John Koivula lecturing on gem treatments.