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Bruce G. Knuth
Jewelers Press, Thornton, Colorado
In his introduction Bruce G. Knuth writes: “Gems rank as the first precious objects of early man. From the time the first colorful pebble was recovered on the banks of a stream, to the current opinion that a diamond will seal the bonds of love, people have held the belief that gems possess magical properties. These metaphysical properties became the subject of oral traditions, numerous pieces of literature, and a wealth of contemporary notions.”
For the gem enthusiast and students of mythology this book is a must for their library. Copyrighted in 1999, it is fairly up-to-date, and is very thoroughly researched. One could say that Mr. Knuth is a master researcher.
He begins with the research and writings of Theophrastus, a student of Plato who is credited with developing the first written work focusing solely on gemstones. What follows are descriptions of works of other early writers from Pliny the Elder who made an honest attempt at gem classification to Robert M. Shipley who founded the Gemological Institute of America in 1931.
Knuth quotes Dr. George Frederick Kunz who was responsible for a renewed public interest in gem study: “The magi, the wise men, the seers, the astrologers of the ages gone by found much in the matter of gems that have nearly come to forgetting.”
He then produces a section for 47 gems and covers their importance in literature and folklore. He writes this about the agate. “The association of agate with the lion is repeated in Hebrew tradition. A hair plucked from a lion’s mane was a source of courage for the Jews.” Knuth also discusses the uses of different gemstones for medicinal purposes citing the work of Pliny who suggested the agate as a remedy for eye diseases.
There is also a section on mythical gems that is not found in many gem texts. He talks about the Cabot Stone which is supposed to have been found inside a fish. This stone was said to let the owner forecast the weather. The mythical Raven Stone was believed to allow an individual to make himself invisible. He covers information about 33 different mythical gemstones.
One of the most interesting sections, however, is a collection of literary references including verses from biblical text, The Lapidary by Marbode of Rennes, and the work of William Shakespeare. This information could be useful to any student, writer or researcher.
What follows is a comprehensive section on birthstones. It covers the origins of the whole phenomenon, and proceeds to outline their relationship to astrology, shapes, and he even shows the relationship between given names and their gem counterparts.
Knuth concludes his introduction by writing: “As one studies the collected gem-lore of the past, other modern medical treatments and their resemblance to ancient practices may be found. Further studies, additional scientific research, and the discovery of yet unknown forces may reveal additional foundations of numerous ancient gemological practices and beliefs.”
This is a gemstone book that any writer, researcher or gem enthusiast should have on their shelf.
Reference:
Gems in Myth Legend and Lore, by Bruce G. Knuth, Jewelers Press, Thornton, Colorado
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