Four Treasures Reference Database
Record No. 26784
Contributions to a history of gemology: Specific gravity — Origins and development of the hydrostatic method
Journal Article
Sinkankas, J. (1986) Contributions to a history of gemology: Specific gravity — Origins and development of the hydrostatic method. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 22, No. 3, Fall, pp. 156–165.
Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | RWHL*
gems, history of gemology, specific gravity, Arabic Mineralogy
The development of the hydrostatic method for determining specific gravity in gems is traced from its origin with Archimedes to its current applications, with brief historical notes on other techniques. This article marks the first in a series on the history of gemology to be published periodically in Gems & Gemology. [RWH: Sadly, that series never developed beyond this article]