gems, ancient gemology, ancient mineralogy, history of gemology, history of mineralogy, early medicine, medicinal uses of gems and minerals, jade, jasper, Arabic mineralogy, early lapidaries

Sinkankas: The gemologist interested in the medicinal lore of gemstones as it was reflected in the herbals of the Middle Ages will find a wealth of material herein and the translation of Rösslin’s Kreutterbüch of 1535, which appears on pp. 51–205. Aside from the first chapter, which gives instructions in the art of polishing stones, the remaining 92 chapters treat mineral substances in alphabetical order, beginning with “adamas” or diamond, and ending with “zignites,” a stone that is merely said to be “a glass-colored stone” by Rösslin. In between are numerous true gemstones, ornamental stones, organic gemstones such as pearl, amber, jet, and coral, and others—most being recognizable but a considerable number being fitted with names that can no longer be attached to known mineral substances. All comments are terse, being no more than a brief identification followed by supposed healing powers. The extensive bibliography is a valuable feature because it provides fertile ground for any interested in delving further into similar treatises or locating translations and commentaries on lapidaries of the period. As Belkin and Caley point out, Rösslin’s information on stones was obtained from numerous sources before him, and unlike Agricola’s works, contains virtually no original material. Aside from its value to the student of ancient gemological literature, it furnishes the reader with comparisons to other works of the period in order to portray medieval thought as it pertained to the mineral kingdom and especially in regard to the medicinal lore of gemstones.