gems, glyptic, engraved gems, agate, cameo, intaglio, antique gems, jewelry, rings, glass, fake, fraud, counterfeit gems

Sinkankas: Virtually an abbreviated encyclopedia of the major aspects of gem engraving. Topics include the history of the art; the principal gemstones and materials used; the names of Greek and Roman gem engravers and their most important productions; the various gem-engraving schools in Italy and elsewhere; a description of the Museum Odeschalcum, its history, contents, etc.; comments on books written about engraved gems by Agostini, Gori, Passeri, Ficoroni, Galeotti, and others; abraxoid gems; talismanic gems and others of supposed magical power, with remarks on the superstitions and lore attending them; fake gems and the methods of making them and how they can be detected; and finally, remarks on the organization of engraved gem collections and some famous cabinets, especially in Italy. See also P. & H. Zazoff, Gemmensammler, 1983, p. 175.