Gems in Myth Legend and Lore - Softcover

Knuth, Bruce G.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0964355019 ISBN 13: 9780964355019

Publisher: Jewelers Pr, 1999

Synopsis

Gems have been prized for thousands of years, not only for their beauty and rarity, but also for their supposed mystic and magical qualities. This book, in the tradition of ancient lapidaries, traces the use of gems in religion, medicine, magic, and astrology.

Amethyst comes from the anointed body of a Greek maiden.

Ruby, whether male or female, can boil water and heal wounds.

Turquois protects the rider against a fall from a horse.

Amber contains trapped fairies, angels, and the souls of ancestors. These and thousands of other beliefs regarding gems have been collected and chronicled by the author. Myths, legends, and lore gathered from numerous cultures are included for each stone. This reference also includes the gemological characteristics of each stone, a new translation of Jean de Mandevilles fourteenth century Le Lapidaire, and hundreds of quotations regarding precious stones from classic pieces of literature. Gems in Myth Legend and Lore is the most comprehensive lapidary available. A work that continues a tradition of gem literature spanning over two thousand years.

About this title

From the Publisher:

Jewelers Press is proud to announce that Gems in Myth, Legend, and Lore by Bruce Knuth was selected as one of three national finalists for the 2000 Benjamin Franklin Award for the New Age (metaphysical, spiritual) category. The Benjamin Franklin Awards are sponsored by the Publisher's Marketing Association, and celebrate excellence in editorial and design content for titles published in 1999. Judges for the Benjamin Franklin Awards come from all areas of the industry: major newspaper and trade media reviewers, bookstore and library buyers and reviewers, non-competing publishers, artists and writers who serve the industry.

Gems in Myth, Legend, and Lore focuses on those gems prized for thousands of years, not only for their beauty and rarity, but their supposed mystic and magical qualities. This book, in the tradition of ancient lapidaries, traces the use of gems in religion, medicine, magic, and astrology. As judges of the Benjamin Franklin Awards wrote about Gems in Myth, Legend, and Lore:

"It is a beautiful book, very well done . . . The information is very informative, easy to read." "Very well done the pictures are great along with the folklore! A good addition for any library."

Awards were presented on Thursday, June 1st at the Chicago Marriott Downtown at which time winners were recognized for setting the standards and the pace for the publishing industry.

About the Author:

Jeweler, gemologist, and educator Bruce G. Knuth holds a B.S. degree in fine arts and an M.A. in jewelry and metals from Western Michigan University. He has also studied at the University of Kansas, Colorado State University, the Gemological Institute of America, and Colorado Mountain College. His Jewelers Resource, published in 1994, has become a standard reference for jewelers and jewelry students.

Other Books By Bruce G. Knuth
Jeweler's Resource 0-9643550-0-0

About this edition

• Publisher: Jewelers Pr
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0964355019
• ISBN 13: 9780964355019
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 310