Abstract
MR. BURNHAM is the author of a work on limestones and marbles published a few years ago in which he indicated the resources of the United States and other countries in stone for decorative purposes. In the present volume he treats of precious stones in that exhaustive and thorough fashion which we are accustomed to regard as a special characteristic of German writers. He begins by describing, as far as is known, the origin, properties, classification, localities, imitations, and antiquity, of precious stones (antiquity here applies of course to their use as ornaments), and then proceeds to treat of their prices, the trade in them, the sumptuary laws relating to them, those of remarkable size, and notorious jewel robberies. This chapter is followed by a description of various notable collections, and of the Crown jewels of different countries, from which the author passes on to some very interesting chapters on the secular uses of precious stones, the different kinds of ornaments, and their sacred uses. A chapter on precious stones in literature, and their mystical properties, is succeeded by one on the curious art of engraving on precious stones, and then commences a series of chapters on the various stones. First, of course, comes an account of the diamond, its home, and of historical and remarkable diamonds, which is followed by descriptions of all the precious stones at present known, from the sapphire, emerald, and ruby, to coral, amber, jet, cat's-eye, and rock-crystal, to the number of about one hundred. The appendices give the sizes of large and remarkable diamonds, a classification of precious stones according to their principal constituents, the hardness and specific gravity of precious stones, their relative hardness, relative specific gravity, and finally a list of the localities in the United States in which gem-minerals have been found. It will be perceived from this very brief indication of the contents of the book that the work is perfectly encyclopædic in its treatment of its subject; nothing relating to precious stones is strange to or disregarded by Mr. Burnham. Of the value of the book to the gem collector, expert, or mineralogist, it is needless to speak, but we can answer for it that it is highly interesting to the general reader, or at least to all who like to hear about those rare and beautiful products of Nature to which man in all ages and in every country has attached a high value.
Precious Stones in Nature, Art, and Literature.
By S. M. Burnham. (Boston: Bradlee Whidden. London: Trübner and Co.)
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Our Book Shelf . Nature 36, 482 (1887). https://doi.org/10.1038/036482a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/036482a0