gems, jade, Fischer-Book

Pliny’s Naturalis historia is an encyclopedic survey of the natural world compiled in the first century CE, encompassing astronomy, geography, anthropology, zoology, botany, medicine, mineralogy, and the arts. Of particular gemological importance are Books 33–37, which discuss metals, pigments, stones, and precious materials. Book 37 is devoted largely to gemstones and describes their names, appearances, reputed origins, relative values, methods of testing, imitations, engraving, and supposed medicinal or magical properties. Among the materials discussed are diamond, emerald, beryl, opal, sardonyx, amethyst, rock crystal, jasper, turquoise, and numerous other stones, making the work one of the most important surviving ancient sources for the history of gems and the gem trade. This 1469 Venice edition, printed by Johannes de Spira, was the first printed edition of the Naturalis historia and one of the earliest substantial works of classical science to appear in print.