Gemology Books Bibliography
Explore books on gems, gemology, jewelry and mineralogy in Four Treasures, the Lotus Gemology reference database. This bibliography brings together matching book records from the collection, with publication details, abstracts and cover images where available.
Gemology Book References
The list below matches books concerning gemology and related subjects in the database's searchable fields. Some works cover several branches of gems, jewelry or mineralogy.
Travels in Brazil, in the years 1817–1820
Book
Spix, J.B., von and Martius, C.F.P., von (1824) Travels in Brazil, in the years 1817–1820. London, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green, 2 Vols., 327, 298 pp. (see Vol. 2, pp. 164–167 for topaz).
Record No. 6859 | Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | RWHL
An account of the travels of the German naturalists Johann Baptist von Spix and Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius through Brazil between 1817 and 1820, undertaken as part of the Austrian scientific expedition accompanying Archduchess Leopoldine to Brazil. The work describes their extensive journeys from Rio de Janeiro through Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Bahia, Pernambuco, Maranhão, Pará and the Amazon basin, combining a travel narrative with detailed observations on the country’s geography, geology, mineral resources, flora, fauna, Indigenous peoples, settlements, commerce and society. Of particular gemmological interest are descriptions of the mineral-rich districts of Minas Gerais, including observations on diamond and gold mining and occurrences of topaz and other gemstones.
Notice sur le Cabinet des Médaille et des Pierres Gravées de sa Majesté le Roi des Pays-Bas, Grand-Duc de Luxembourg
Notice on the Cabinet of Medals and Engraved Gems of His Majesty the King of the Netherlands, Grand Duke of Luxembourg
Book
de Jonge, J.C. (1823) Notice sur le Cabinet des Médaille et des Pierres Gravées de sa Majesté le Roi des Pays-Bas, Grand-Duc de Luxembourg. [Notice on the Cabinet of Medals and Engraved Gems of His Majesty the King of the Netherlands, Grand Duke of Luxembourg] Haije, Veuve Allart, 180 pp.
Record No. 29481 | Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | Language: in French | RWHL
A descriptive notice of the royal collection of medals and engraved gems belonging to King William I of the Netherlands, Grand Duke of Luxembourg. De Jonge discusses the formation, organization, and principal holdings of the cabinet, including ancient coins, medals, intaglios, cameos, and other engraved stones. Of particular gemological and art-historical interest is its documentation of the royal glyptic collection and the subjects, materials, workmanship, and historical significance of its engraved gems. The work provides a useful record of nineteenth-century European collecting and connoisseurship and of an important royal collection of ancient precious and ornamental stones.
Relation abrégée d’un voyage aux Indes Orientales
Abridged account of a voyage to the East Indies
Journal Article
de Latour, L. (1822) Relation abrégée d’un voyage aux Indes Orientales. [Abridged account of a voyage to the East Indies] Mémoires du Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Vol. 9, pp. 245–274.
Record No. 29499 | Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | Language: in French | RWHL
De Latour gives an account of a voyage to the East Indies, describing observations made on the natural history, products, and practices of the regions visited. Of particular gemological interest are his observations on precious stones and the indigenous methods employed in their working, including the lapidary wheel used for cutting gemstones in India. The paper provides an early nineteenth-century European eyewitness account of Indian lapidary technology and the treatment of gemstones.
On the state of water and aeriform matter in cavities found in certain crystals
Journal Article
Davy, H. (1822) On the state of water and aeriform matter in cavities found in certain crystals. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Vol. 112, pp. 367–376.
Record No. 658 | Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | RWHL
An important early study by Humphry Davy of fluid and gaseous inclusions enclosed within crystals. Davy examines cavities containing liquid and aeriform matter in several minerals and considers the physical state, composition and behavior of the enclosed substances when the crystals are heated or broken. The paper is significant in the history of mineralogy because it helped establish that crystals can trap fluids and gases during their formation, providing evidence about the conditions under which minerals crystallize. For gemology, it is an early contribution to the study of fluid inclusions, which later became important for understanding gemstone genesis, geological environment and, in some cases, geographic origin.
An Account of the Interior of Ceylon
Book
Davy, J. (1821) An Account of the Interior of Ceylon. London, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, pp. 1–35, 259–266, 335–349
Record No. 2750 | Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | RWHL
A detailed account of the interior of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) by the physician and naturalist John Davy, based on his residence on the island from 1816 to 1820. The work combines observations on geography, geology, natural history, climate, inhabitants, government and customs with a narrative of Davy’s travels through the interior. Of particular gemological interest are his descriptions of the island’s geology and mineral resources, including corundum, ruby, sapphire, cinnamon-stone, zircon and other minerals and gemstones, together with observations on their occurrences and localities. The work is an important early nineteenth-century source for the geology and gem minerals of Sri Lanka and reflects Davy’s firsthand scientific observations of the island.
On the geology and mineralogy of Ceylon
Journal Article
Davy, J. (1821) On the geology and mineralogy of Ceylon. Transactions of the Geological Society [of London], Vol. 5, Part 2, pp. 311–327.
Record No. 657 | Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | RWHL
A concise geological and mineralogical account of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) by John Davy, based on his investigations while resident on the island. Davy describes Ceylon as consisting largely of ancient crystalline rocks, including gneiss and crystalline limestone, and records a variety of associated minerals. Of particular gemological interest are his observations on spinel, zircon, cinnamon-stone garnet, tourmaline, corundum and other gem minerals, together with their geological associations. The paper is an important early scientific account of the geology and mineralogy of Sri Lanka and one of the earliest attempts to relate its celebrated gemstones to the rocks in which they occur.
Essay on the turquoise and the calaite
Journal Article
Fischer, G. (1820) Essay on the turquoise and the calaite. The Asiatic Journal, Vol. 9, No. 49, pp. 23–30.
Record No. 29053 | Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | RWHL
An early mineralogical study by Gotthelf Fischer of two very different substances historically called turquoise. Fischer distinguishes “oriental turquoise,” which he regards as a true mineral, from “occidental turquoise” or turquoise odontolite, which he identifies as fossil tooth or bone colored by a copper compound. He proposes the name calaite for the mineral turquoise and discusses its occurrence, physical character and historical nomenclature, comparing it with Pliny’s descriptions of callais. Fischer notes that calaite occurs as rounded pieces in alluvial deposits rather than in a rocky matrix and discusses its resemblance to emerald and sapphire in ancient descriptions. The work is important in the history of gemology for its attempt to separate true mineral turquoise from odontolite and to reconcile contemporary mineralogical observations with the terminology of classical lapidary sources.
Gems
Book Section
Rees, A. (1819) Gems. In: The Cyclopædia; or Universal Disctionary of Arts, Sciences, and Literature, London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, & Brown, 39 Vols., Vol. 15 , see Gems.
Record No. 3144 | Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | RWHL
An encyclopedia entry on gems in Abraham Rees’s Cyclopædia; or, Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Literature. The article surveys the principal precious stones known in the early nineteenth century, discussing their names, physical characters, varieties, relative value and uses, and reflecting contemporary attempts to reconcile traditional jewelers’ terminology with developing mineralogical classification. As part of Rees’s broad technical encyclopedia, the entry is useful for understanding how gemological knowledge was presented to educated English readers at the time and for tracing the transition from older lapidary descriptions toward more scientific treatments based on mineralogy and chemistry. Contains a note on peacock feather put under sapphire.
Riflessioni sopra un Cammeo Antico rappresentante Giove
Reflections on an Ancient Cameo Representing Jupiter
Book
Bianconi, C. (1818) Riflessioni sopra un Cammeo Antico rappresentante Giove. [Reflections on an Ancient Cameo Representing Jupiter] Bologna, Tipografia de’ Franceschi alla Colomba, 35 pp.
Record No. 28942 | Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | Language: in Italian | RWHL
A short antiquarian study by Carlo Bianconi devoted to an ancient cameo representing Jupiter. Bianconi examines the engraved gem’s subject and iconography, interpreting the figure through comparison with classical literature, mythology and ancient works of art. The work reflects the close relationship between glyptic studies, classical archaeology and connoisseurship in the early nineteenth century, when engraved gems were important evidence for understanding ancient religion and artistic imagery. It is of particular interest to gemology for its documentation and interpretation of an ancient cameo and to the history of collecting and the study of classical engraved gems.
Foedera, Conventiones Litterae, et Cujuscunque Generis Acta Publica inter Reges Anglia
Treaties, Agreements, Letters, and Public Acts of any kind Between the Kings of England
Book
Rymer, T., Sanderson, R., Clarke, A. and Holbrooke, F. (1818) Foedera, Conventiones Litterae, et Cujuscunque Generis Acta Publica inter Reges Anglia. [Treaties, Agreements, Letters, and Public Acts of any kind Between the Kings of England] London, Eyre & Stahan, 10 Vols., Vol. 2 , 738 pp.
Record No. 17083 | Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | Language: in Latin | RWHL
A volume from the major documentary collection commonly known as Rymer’s Foedera, containing treaties, agreements, letters, charters and other official records relating to the English Crown and its dealings with foreign rulers, governments and institutions. Originally compiled by Thomas Rymer and continued by Robert Sanderson, the collection reproduces primary documents from the royal archives, many in Latin or French. Although not primarily concerned with gemstones, the records include inventories, diplomatic gifts, royal possessions, payments and transactions involving jewels, precious stones, pearls, gold and silver, making the collection an important primary source for the history of medieval and early modern royal jewelry and gem ownership. The 1818 volume belongs to the later edition prepared under the direction of Adam Clarke and Frederick Holbrooke.
Auszüge aus dem persischen Werke ʿAjāʾib al-makhlūqāt wa gharāʾib al-mawjūdāt d. i. das Buch der Edelsteine, von Mohammed Ben Manssur
Extracts from the Persian Work ʿAjāʾib al-makhlūqāt wa gharāʾib al-mawjūdāt, i.e., The Book of Gems, by Mohammed ibn Mansur
Book Section
Hammer-Purgstall, V. (1818) Auszüge aus dem persischen Werke ʿAjāʾib al-makhlūqāt wa gharāʾib al-mawjūdāt d. i. das Buch der Edelsteine, von Mohammed Ben Manssur. [Extracts from the Persian Work ʿAjāʾib al-makhlūqāt wa gharāʾib al-mawjūdāt, i.e., The Book of Gems, by Mohammed ibn Mansur] In: Fundgruben des Orients [Treasures of the Orient], Vienna: Aton Schmid, K.K. Privil, and N.O. Landschfts-Buchdrucker, 6 Vols., Vol. 6 , pp. 126–142.
Record No. 16381 | Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | Language: in German and Arabic | RWHL
A German translation by Joseph von Hammer of selected portions of a medieval Persian lapidary by Muḥammad ibn Manṣūr, published in Fundgruben des Orients. The original work treats individual gemstones systematically under four headings: their physical characteristics, places of occurrence, value, and supposed occult or talismanic properties. Hammer deliberately translated principally the first two sections—description and sources—while omitting much of the material on prices and supernatural properties. The extracts discuss numerous precious stones and mineral substances and constitute an important early European presentation of medieval Persian gemological knowledge. The work is especially valuable for preserving information on historical gemstone terminology, characteristics and localities and for demonstrating the relationship between Persian and earlier Arabic lapidary traditions.
Nouveau Dictionnaire d’Histoire Naturelle, Appliquée aux Arts, etc.
New Dictionary of Natural History, Applied to the Arts, etc.
Book
Société de Naturalistes et d’Agricuteurs (1818) Nouveau Dictionnaire d’Histoire Naturelle, Appliquée aux Arts, etc. [New Dictionary of Natural History, Applied to the Arts, etc.] Paris, Deterville, Vol. 26 (see pp. 165–283 for stones).
Record No. 7966 | Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | Language: in French | RWHL
A major multi-volume French encyclopedia of natural history, prepared by a large group of naturalists and physicians and published by Deterville. The Nouveau Dictionnaire d’Histoire Naturelle covers the animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms, with particular attention to the practical application of natural substances in agriculture, commerce, medicine and the arts. Its mineralogical articles include numerous entries on precious stones, ornamental stones and minerals, discussing their physical properties, composition, localities, nomenclature and uses. The work is valuable for tracing early nineteenth-century French mineralogical and gemological terminology and for documenting contemporary knowledge during a period of rapid advances in chemistry and crystallography.
Einladung zur dritten hundertjährigen Jubelfeier des Reformationsfestes
Invitation to the Third Centennial Celebration of the Reformation Festival
Book
Bellermann, J.J. (1817, 1818, 1819) Einladung zur dritten hundertjährigen Jubelfeier des Reformationsfestes. [Invitation to the Third Centennial Celebration of the Reformation Festival] Berlin, Gedruct bei Dieterici, 200 112 pp.
Record No. 7087 | Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | Language: in German | RWHL
A three-part antiquarian study by Johann Joachim Bellermann, issued in connection with the third centenary of the Reformation. Despite its general title, the work contains Bellermann’s detailed investigation of the Urim and Thummim and the high-priestly breastplate described in the Hebrew Bible, including discussion of the twelve precious stones, their ancient Hebrew and Greek names, arrangement and possible identities. Bellermann compares biblical passages with classical and later authorities in an effort to reconcile ancient gemstone terminology with contemporary mineralogical knowledge. The work is of particular interest to the history of gemology and biblical lapidaries for its extensive treatment of the identification and symbolism of the gemstones of Aaron’s breastplate.
Chemische Untersuchung des chinesischen Reissteins
II. Chemical Examination of Chinese Rice Stone
Book Section
Klaproth, M.H. (1815) Chemische Untersuchung des chinesischen Reissteins. [II. Chemical Examination of Chinese Rice Stone] In: Beiträge zur chemischen Kenntniss der Mineralkörper, Berlin: Nicolaischen Buchhandlung, Vol. 6 , pp. 15–20.
Record No. 29304 | Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | Language: in German | RWHL
An early chemical investigation by Martin Heinrich Klaproth of the Chinese material known as “rice stone” (Reisstein), an artificial stone used in imitation of jade. Klaproth analyzes the substance in order to determine its composition and establish that it is a manufactured material rather than a natural mineral. The paper is of particular interest to the history of gemology because it documents an early European chemical examination of a Chinese jade simulant and illustrates the growing use of analytical chemistry to distinguish natural gemstones from artificial substitutes.
A Voyage to Abysinnia
Book
Salt, H. (1814) A Voyage to Abysinnia. London, F.C. and J. Rivington, 506, lxxv pp.
Record No. 27321 | Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | RWHL
A voyage to Abyssinia, and travels into the interior of that country, executed under the orders of the British government, in the years 1809 and 1810; in which are included, an account of the Portugese settlements on the east coast of Africa, visited in the course of the voyage; and a concise narrative of late events in Arabia Felix. And some particulars respecting the aboriginal African tribes, extending from Mosambique to the borders of Egypt; together with vocabularies of their respective languages / Illustrated with a map of Abyssinia, numerous engravings, and charts.
Ricerche sopra una pietra preziosa della vêste pontificale di Aarone
Research on a precious stone from Aaron's pontifical robe
Book
Hager, J. (1814) Ricerche sopra una pietra preziosa della vêste pontificale di Aarone. [Research on a precious stone from Aaron's pontifical robe] Milano, Giovanni Pirotta, 65 pp.
Record No. 6918 | Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | Language: in Italian | RWHL
A short antiquarian study by Joseph Hager devoted to identifying one of the precious stones named among the twelve gems of the breastplate of Aaron described in the Hebrew Bible. Hager examines ancient names and descriptions of the stone through biblical, classical and Oriental sources, comparing linguistic evidence with contemporary knowledge of gemstones in an attempt to establish its identity. The work illustrates the close relationship between philology, biblical scholarship and mineralogy in early nineteenth-century investigations of ancient gem names. It is of particular interest to the history of gemology for its treatment of the persistent problem of correlating ancient lapidary terminology with modern mineral species.
Voyage aux Iles de Trinidad, de Tabago, de la Marguerite, et dans Diverses Parties de Vénézuéla, dans l’Amérique Méridionale
Travel to the Islands of Trinidad, Tabago, Marguerite, and Various Parts of Venezuela, South America
Book
Lavaysse, J.J.D. (1813) Voyage aux Iles de Trinidad, de Tabago, de la Marguerite, et dans Diverses Parties de Vénézuéla, dans l’Amérique Méridionale. [Travel to the Islands of Trinidad, Tabago, Marguerite, and Various Parts of Venezuela, South America] Paris, F. Schoëll, Vol. 1 , 414 pp. (see p. 287).
Record No. 8162 | Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | Language: in French | RWHL
A travel account by Jean-Joseph Dauxion Lavaysse describing Trinidad, Tobago, Margarita and parts of Venezuela based on his experiences in the Caribbean and northern South America. The work combines travel narrative with observations on geography, population, colonial society, agriculture, commerce, natural history and regional resources. Lavaysse discusses the economic products and physical character of the territories he visited and provides a useful early nineteenth-century European account of Venezuela and the neighboring islands during a period of major political and commercial change. For gemological research, its relevance is secondary, chiefly through notices of local natural resources and mineral wealth rather than any sustained treatment of gemstones.
Voyages dans l’Amérique Méridionale par Don Félix de Azara
Travels to South America by Don Félix de Azara
Book
Azara, D.F., de (1809) Voyages dans l’Amérique Méridionale par Don Félix de Azara. [Travels to South America by Don Félix de Azara] Paris, Dentu, 4 Vols.
Record No. 7979 | Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | Language: in French | RWHL
A French edition of the travels and observations of the Spanish naturalist and military officer Félix de Azara, based on his long residence in the Río de la Plata and Paraguay region of South America. The work describes the geography, rivers, settlements, peoples, animals, plants and natural resources of the territories he visited, combining travel narrative with detailed natural-history observations. Azara’s firsthand accounts were particularly important for European knowledge of Paraguay, Argentina and neighboring regions at the beginning of the nineteenth century. For gemological and mineralogical research, the work is of secondary interest for its notices of regional natural resources and materials rather than as a specialized study of gemstones.
Imm. Joh. Gerh. Schellers lateinisch-deutsches und deutsch-lateinisches Handlexicon
Imm. Joh. Gerh. Scheller's Latin-German and German-Latin Handlexicon
Book
Scheller-Lünemann, I.J.G. (1807) Imm. Joh. Gerh. Schellers lateinisch-deutsches und deutsch-lateinisches Handlexicon. [Imm. Joh. Gerh. Scheller's Latin-German and German-Latin Handlexicon] Leipzig, Caspar Fritsch, 1728 pp.
Record No. 16349 | Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | Language: in German | RWHL
A large bilingual Latin–German and German–Latin dictionary based on the lexicographical work of Immanuel Johann Gerhard Scheller and prepared in this edition by I. J. G. Scheller-Lünemann. The Handlexicon provides Latin vocabulary with German equivalents and German terms with their Latin counterparts, including terminology drawn from classical literature, natural history and the sciences. For gemological research, it is useful for interpreting historical Latin names for gemstones, minerals, metals and related materials and for establishing how such terms were understood and translated by German scholars in the early nineteenth century. Its principal value is therefore linguistic and terminological rather than mineralogical.
A Description of Ceylon, Containing an Account of the Country, Inhabitants, and Natural Productions
Book
Cordiner, J. (1807) A Description of Ceylon, Containing an Account of the Country, Inhabitants, and Natural Productions. Aberdeen, Longman, Hurst, Rees and Orme, 2 Vols., Vol. 1, pp. 14–15 (gems); Vol. 2, pp. 35–78 (pearls)
Record No. 7390 | Sinkankas/Born No.: NIS/NIB | RWHL
A two-volume account of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) by the British chaplain James Cordiner, describing the island’s geography, inhabitants, customs, economy and natural productions during the early period of British rule. Of gemological interest, Cordiner briefly discusses the island’s precious stones (Vol. 1, pp. 14–15), reflecting Ceylon’s longstanding reputation as a source of gems. A much more extensive section is devoted to the pearl fishery of the Gulf of Mannar (Vol. 2, pp. 35–78), describing the pearl banks, oysters, fishing grounds, diving, organization of the fishery and its economic importance. The work provides a valuable contemporary account of both gemstones and the natural-pearl industry of early nineteenth-century Ceylon.
Building a Gemological Library
Gemological books range from general identification manuals and textbooks to specialized works on individual gems, mineralogy, jewelry, treatments, synthesis, history and gem-producing regions.
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Four Treasures is Lotus Gemology's freely accessible gemological reference database. Use the full database to search by author, title or keyword and explore literature on gemology, mineralogy, jewelry and related fields. Where available, hyperlinks on titles may lead directly to the full publication.