gems, archaeology, archaeogemology, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan

Divided into two parts, the volume comprises 52 articles—19 in Part I and 33 in Part II—covering topics as diverse as craniology in protohistoric Iranian Seistan and questions of authenticity in sixteenth-century Indian painting. The definition of archaeology adopted by the “South Asian Archaeologists in Europe” is notably broad, as is their geographic conception of South Asia, which spans from the Arabian Gulf to Bengal and from Central Asia to Sri Lanka. Participation is not limited to Europeans; American involvement has grown significantly over the years. Overall, these biennial conference proceedings, published regularly since 1973, offer valuable insight into the current Euro-American approach to the ancient cultures of a substantial portion of Asia.

gems, ancient gemology, early gemology, ancient mineralogy, early trade, India, Rome, ancient trade, commerce

Includes bibliographical references and indexes. Contents: Ancient naval technology and the route to India / Lionel Casson — Ports of the Red Sea and the Arabia-India trade / Steven E. Sidebotham — Roman trade / S.B. Deo — Red polished ware in Gujarat / Nancy Pinto Orton — The Roman bronzes from Kolhapur / Richard Daniel De Puma — Early Roman export class in India / E. Marianne Stern — Further evidence of Roman trade from coastal sites in Tamil Nadu / K.V. Raman — Terra sigillata at Arikamedu / Howard Comfort-- The Mediterranean shipping amphoras from Arikamedu — Ceramic evidence for pre-Periplus trade on the Indian coasts / Vimala Begley — The Port of Mantai, Sri Lanka / John Carswell — Observations on Mediterranean amphoras and tablewares found in India / Kathleen Warner Slane.

gems, ancient gemology, early gemology, ancient mineralogy, early trade, India, Rome

Includes bibliographical references and indexes. Contents: Ancient naval technology and the route to India / Lionel Casson — Ports of the Red Sea and the Arabia-India trade / Steven E. Sidebotham — Roman trade / S.B. Deo — Red polished ware in Gujarat / Nancy Pinto Orton — The Roman bronzes from Kolhapur / Richard Daniel De Puma — Early Roman export class in India / E. Marianne Stern — Further evidence of Roman trade from coastal sites in Tamil Nadu / K.V. Raman — Terra sigillata at Arikamedu / Howard Comfort-- The Mediterranean shipping amphoras from Arikamedu — Ceramic evidence for pre-Periplus trade on the Indian coasts / Vimala Begley — The Port of Mantai, Sri Lanka / John Carswell — Observations on Mediterranean amphoras and tablewares found in India / Kathleen Warner Slane.

gems, ancient gemology, early gemology, ancient mineralogy, early trade, India, Rome

Includes bibliographical references and indexes. Contents: Ancient naval technology and the route to India / Lionel Casson — Ports of the Red Sea and the Arabia-India trade / Steven E. Sidebotham — Roman trade / S.B. Deo — Red polished ware in Gujarat / Nancy Pinto Orton — The Roman bronzes from Kolhapur / Richard Daniel De Puma — Early Roman export class in India / E. Marianne Stern — Further evidence of Roman trade from coastal sites in Tamil Nadu / K.V. Raman — Terra sigillata at Arikamedu / Howard Comfort-- The Mediterranean shipping amphoras from Arikamedu — Ceramic evidence for pre-Periplus trade on the Indian coasts / Vimala Begley — The Port of Mantai, Sri Lanka / John Carswell — Observations on Mediterranean amphoras and tablewares found in India / Kathleen Warner Slane.

gems, ancient gemology, early gemology, ancient mineralogy, early trade, India, Rome

Includes bibliographical references and indexes. Contents: Ancient naval technology and the route to India / Lionel Casson — Ports of the Red Sea and the Arabia-India trade / Steven E. Sidebotham — Roman trade / S.B. Deo — Red polished ware in Gujarat / Nancy Pinto Orton — The Roman bronzes from Kolhapur / Richard Daniel De Puma — Early Roman export class in India / E. Marianne Stern — Further evidence of Roman trade from coastal sites in Tamil Nadu / K.V. Raman — Terra sigillata at Arikamedu / Howard Comfort-- The Mediterranean shipping amphoras from Arikamedu — Ceramic evidence for pre-Periplus trade on the Indian coasts / Vimala Begley — The Port of Mantai, Sri Lanka / John Carswell — Observations on Mediterranean amphoras and tablewares found in India / Kathleen Warner Slane.

, gems

synthetic corundum.7, ruby, sapphire, synthetic spinel, flame fusion, Verneuil, gems

Describes the Verneuil flame-fusion process and the diagnostic features used to identify gemstones produced by it. Particular attention is given to microscopic inclusions and absorption spectra, with illustrations showing characteristic features of flame-fusion synthetics. The article explains how evidence resulting from the growth process can distinguish these laboratory-grown materials from their natural counterparts and provides practical criteria for routine gemological identification. A contemporary Journal of Gemmology abstract specifically confirms this emphasis on the Verneuil process, inclusions and absorption spectra.

gems, ancient gemology, early gemology, ancient mineralogy, glyptic, cameos

Contents: The Portland Vase: an aspect of Roman cameo cutting / David Whitehouse and Kenneth Painter — Ancient cameos in the Content Family Collection / Martin Henig — Late Antique cameos c. A.D. 250-260 / Jeffrey Spier — Cameos in Byzantium / Cyril Mango and Marlia Mundell Mango — Rubens and the Cameo of TIberius / Christopher White — Portrait cameos: aspects of their history and function / Gertrud Seidmann.

gems, glyptic, engraved gems, agate, cameo, intaglio, archaeogemology

A broad study of archaeogemmology, examining gemstones and engraved stones in the ancient world from mineralogical, archaeological and cultural perspectives. Devoto and Molayem discuss the identification and use of ancient gem materials and survey the development of glyptic art, including seals, intaglios and other carved stones from the ancient Mediterranean and Near East. Archaeological objects are considered in terms of their gem materials, working techniques, iconography and historical context. Separate attention is given to the magical and therapeutic properties attributed to stones in antiquity, including their use as amulets and in lithotherapy. The volume is extensively illustrated in both color and black-and-white and attempts to combine modern mineralogical knowledge with archaeological and historical evidence for the identification, manufacture and cultural significance of ancient gemstones. Later archaeological catalogues cite individual objects illustrated in the book, including Mesopotamian cylinder seals and hardstone pendants.

corundum, Pakistan.12, gems, spinel

An illustrated survey of Pakistan’s gemstones that relates their properties and occurrence to the country’s geological and tectonic setting. An introductory section explains gemstone composition, physical properties, identification instruments, cutting and polishing, and the acquisition of rough. Subsequent chapters organize the deposits by geological association, covering emeralds associated with the Indus suture, ruby and spinel in the crystalline marbles of the Hunza region, pegmatite minerals, and gemstones from hydrothermal veins. Detailed accounts include aquamarine, tourmaline, feldspar, quartz, and topaz, with particular attention to the pink topaz of Katlang. Pakistani emeralds are also compared with synthetic material. Maps, geological sections, tables, and color photographs connect descriptions of individual gems with their host rocks and regional environments. Photographs by E.J.Gübelin illustrate inclusions, while A.H.Kazmi contributes specimen and landscape images. Brief concluding sections address miscellaneous gem materials and Pakistan’s gem market. Intended partly to encourage further discoveries, the book provides an accessible geological foundation for prospectors, gemologists, jewelers, and collectors, supported by an extensive bibliography.