gems, opal, diamond, history of gemology, mineralogy, beryl, emerald, Habach, crown jewels, gem trade, Hungary

The theme book 2017 takes you on a journey to some of the most famous and extraordinary localities of these natural treasures, from antiquity until today. Did you know that as far back as the 14th century Central European merchants used a sophisticated communication system to find out early about yields and shipments of the Indian diamond mines? Or that the precious opals of the emperors and kings of the 17th century were mined not in Australia but in Opálbány, Hungary – and already on an industrial scale to boot? Would you have thought that an emerald from the Habach Valley in Austria adorns the English crown jewels? These and many other anecdotes are waiting for you in over 30 thrilling articles. They tell the stories of individuals on over 200 pages combining the history of the Earth, economy and world politics with the passion for minerals to weave a picture that will leave the viewer amazed.