gems, early lapidaries, German lapidaries, herbals, medicinal gems

The supposedly healing as well as magical-mystical properties of gemstones not only fascinated people in antiquity and the Middle Ages but also seem to hold a significant place in today’s society. Accordingly, it is important to trace the origins of this popular belief, which is primarily preserved in the lapidaries of the Middle Ages. This thesis deals with the lapidaries of the German-speaking world, which emerged during the High and Late Middle Ages (approximately 1050 to 1500). In this context, it provides an overview of their distinctive features and authors, as well as the esotericism and exotericism associated with gemstones. Ancient stone treatises and lapidaries from outside the German-speaking world, which were related to the medieval German lapidaries, are also discussed. It was found that the originally ancient gemstone knowledge was handed down into the 15th century and underwent transformation through the influence of Arabic culture and Christian religious teachings. The subsequent section makes visible the impact of this popular belief on later periods. On the one hand, it presents the influence of medieval lapidaries on German-language poetry of the 12th and 13th centuries; on the other, it illustrates the development of gemstone cults in the modern era, thereby revealing the current significance of “healing stones.” Finally, attention is turned to the educational context, addressing the role of esotericism in everyday school life. Suggestions are also made for integrating the topic of “precious and healing stones” into German and biology classes, in order to raise students’ awareness of the “supernatural” powers ascribed to gemstones.