gems, early lapidaries, early gemology, early mineralogy, Albertus Magnus, Philippe de Thaon, Jean de Mandeville, Middle Ages, medieval, medicine, Bible, magic, symbolism, beastiary

Treatises on precious stones, lapidaries catalogue and describe gems, then present their medicinal and magical virtues. The emerald heals vision; the sapphire enables escape from prison; the diamond, like the sapphire, is the stone of love; the carbuncle, which is born in the head of the dragon, shines with a dazzling brilliance, and so on. From the lapidary of Philippe de Thaon to that of Jean de Mandeville, these little-known texts open a window into the world of the marvelous, while shedding light on medieval encyclopedism. These treatises on precious stones present the inventory of the jewels and their medical and magical qualities. This volume gives the translation of five treatises dating from the 12th to the 14th century, thus giving access to these difficult texts so that their importance for the history of science and for social history of mentalities may be appreciated.