The first section - 'The World of Gems' - contains information on gem formation, mining, crystal structure, and both the optical and physical properties of gemstones. Other useful topics include the diamond industry, fashioning and cutting, imitation and synthetic stones, and gem enhancement, as well as information on buying gemstsones and diamonds, the history of gems, famous diamonds, and how to care for gems. A colour key is included to help identification, organized by broad colour ranges (yellow to brown, red to pink, blue to violet, green, colourless, white, black and iridescent).The second section - 'Gems of the World' - provides an in-depth description of each gem. Organized by chemical composition and grouped in a logical classification scheme, each gem has its own full-page or double-page entry. As well as the raw crystal, other photos and artworks show the preferred cuts and beautiful examples of jewellery made from the gem.The explanatory text provides information about the conditions under which the gem is formed, where it is mined and its physical properties. It also details the history and folklore attached to each gem, its significance as a jewel, key features to look for, and where the finest examples are found. Each entry is accompanied by a ready-reference fact box featuring key information about the gem, including its refractive index, relative density and hardness rating.A series of maps identify the most important gem locations in the world.Philip's Gems of the World will appeal both to students of gemmology and to the thousands of buyers, dealers and collectors who need an accessible yet comprehensive guide to the world's gemstones.

In 'The Essential Writings of Philip Schaff', readers are taken on a journey through the profound theological reflections and historical insights of esteemed author Philip Schaff. This collection showcases Schaff's eloquent literary style, which effortlessly combines scholarly rigor with spiritual depth. Delving into various aspects of Christianity and church history, Schaff's writings offer a unique perspective that is both informative and engaging. The book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in theological studies and the evolution of Christian thought. It provides a comprehensive overview of Schaff's most influential works, making it an essential addition to any scholar's library. Philip Schaff, a renowned 19th-century theologian and church historian, wrote these essential writings over the course of his illustrious career. His dedication to academic excellence and his passion for theology shine through in every page, demonstrating his profound understanding of the subject matter. Schaff's extensive knowledge and thoughtful analysis make him a trusted authority in the field of Christian studies. I highly recommend 'The Essential Writings of Philip Schaff' to readers seeking a deeper understanding of Christian theology and church history. Schaff's insightful perspectives and scholarly expertise make this collection a must-read for theologians, historians, and anyone interested in the intellectual foundations of Christianity.

This edited collection is an interdisciplinary study of gems in the early modern world. It examines the relations between the art, science, and technology of gems, and it does so against the backdrop of an expanding global trade in gems. The eleven chapters are organised into three parts. The first part sets the scene by describing how gems moved around the early modern world, how they were set in motion, and how they were pulled together in the course of their travels. The second part is about value. It asks why people valued gems, how they determined the value of a given gem, and how the value of a gem was connected to its perceived place of origin. The third part deals with the skills involved in cutting, polishing, and mounting gems, and how these skills were transmitted and articulated by artisans. The common themes of all these chapters are materials, knowledge and global trade. The contributors to this volume focus on the material properties of gems such as their weight and hardness, on the knowledge involved in exchanging them and valuing them, and on the cultural consequences of the expanding trade in gems in Eurasia and the Americas.

The fascinating six-hundred-year history of one of the world's most coveted gems and the royal feuds, intrigues, and betrayals it engendered The Sancy Diamond first came to Europe from India in the fourteenth century, and until 1661 it was the largest white diamond-and the most concentrated and secure form of wealth-in all of Christendom. Alternately believed to impart invincibility to its wearer and to bring ruin to any who owned it, the Sancy cast a seemingly mystical spell over everyone from the king of Portugal to Henry III of France to England's Elizabeth I to Napoleon Bonaparte and Queen Maria Luisa of Spain. The riveting account of one of the most hotly pursued gems in history, The Sancy Blood Diamond follows its six-century journey from the diamond mines of Golconda to where it now modestly resides at the Louvre, among the remnants of the French crown jewels. In a colorful, fast-paced narrative, historian Susan Ronald describes the often violent passions the Sancy engendered among many of the giants of European history. She also describes the pivotal roles it played on the chessboard of European geopolitics, and how it was used to raise armies, settle national debts, and enhance its owners' power and prestige. Working from primary sources, Ronald solves, once and for all, the mystery of the Sancy's disappearances in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and she explores the legend of the Sancy curse, which arose after the violent deaths of Burgundy's Charles the Bold, England's Charles I, France's Louis XVI, and other ill-fated owners.