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The Curious Lore of Precious Stones; Being a Description of Their Sentiments and Folk Lore, 
Superstitions, Symbolism, Mysticism, Use in Medicine, Pro 
by George Frederick Kunz 

Unabridged republication of the 1913 edition. 6 color plates, 57 black and white plates. Index. 
406pp.
Paperbound, Dover, 1971
Used, slightly worn.

Precious and sensi-precious stones have many qualities beyond their physical attributes. They 
have remarkable monetary value, and in the opinion of most of mankind, from the earliest 
recorded times to the present, 
they have abilities and characteristics that can only be termed magical.

Agate, for instance: Cardan believed that it cured insomnia; an air ship designed in 1709 by a 
Brazilian priest planned to use agates as antigravity devices. Amber: ancient Greeks thought it 
the fossil ized tears of Indian 
birds, weeping over the death of Meleager. Amethyst: believed to prevent drunkenness anti to 
cool sexual pas sion. Beryl: in the Middle Ages it helped one in battle or law suits, rendered 
one amiable, intelligent, and 
diligent. Rubies: divided by the ancients into male and female stones, they could make Water 
boil, it was believed, arid could protect one's fruit trees from tempests as long as they were 
uncontaniinated.

Dr. Kunz, Americas foremost gemmologist, long consultant to Tif fany's, prepared the definitive 
book on this fascinating, traditional gem lore. Ranging over a wide wealth of sources oral, 
ancient lapidary manuals 
from the Middle Ages, Greek and Roman geograph ical accounts, the Eddas, archeological 
discoveries in Egypt, the Bible, oriental gem books, travelers' accounts in the primitive world, 
historical documentation of the 
fated gems of the world he provides an unmatched account of the inner life of the gem.

Among the larger topics which he covers are: exotic beliefs about gems, the use of gems as 
ansulets and talismans, carved and engraved magical stones (including scarabs), luminous stones, 
stones of ill omen, crystal 
balls and crystal gazing (scrying), the religious use of gems in many traditions, birth stones, 
the astrological meaning of precious stones, the magical and therapeutic value of gems, and much 
else.




                                                         A DOVER EDITION DESIGNED FOR YEARS OF 
USE!

We have made every effort to make this the best book possible. Our paper is opaque, with minimal 
show-through; it will not diseolor or beeome brittle with age. Pages are bound in signatures, in 
the method 
traditionally used for the best books, and will not drop out. Books open flat for easy 
referenee. The binding will not crack or split. This is a permanent book.

Contents
CHAPTER

I. SUPERSTITIONS AND THEIR SOURCES

II. ON THE USE OP PREcIoUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES AS TALISMANS AND AMULETS 

III. ON TEE TALISMANIC USE OP SPECIAL STONES 

IV. ON THE USE OF ENGRAVED AND CARVED GEMS AS TALISMANS

V. ON OMINOUS AND LUMINOUS STONES 

VI. ON CRYSTAL BALLS AND CRYSTAL GAZING 

VII. RELIGIOUS USES OF PRECIOUS STONES, PAGAN, HEBREW, AND CHRISTIAN 

VIII. ON THE HIGH-PRIEST'S BREASTPLATE 

IX. BIRTH-STONES 

X. PLANETARY AND ASTRAL INFLUENCES OP PRECIOUS STONES....

XI. ON THE THERAPEUTIC USE OF PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES