corundum, geology.11, France.12, gems

Rambosson presents a popular account of precious stones and the principal ornamental materials, combining mineralogical description with information on their history, sources, cutting, commerce, uses, and cultural significance. He discusses diamonds, rubies, sapphires (sapphires du Puy), emeralds, topaz, garnet, turquoise, opal, pearls, coral, and numerous other gem materials, describing their physical characteristics, colors, principal localities, celebrated specimens, and employment in jewelry and decorative objects. The work also treats methods of cutting and polishing, imitation and artificial stones, and the historical and legendary properties attributed to gems. Intended for a general readership rather than as a strictly technical mineralogical treatise, it provides a broad nineteenth-century survey of contemporary knowledge and popular beliefs concerning gemstones and personal ornament.