The Curious Lore of Precious Stones

By George Frederick Kunz

Book Overview

Delve into the fascinating world where folklore and mineralogy intertwine in George Frederick Kunz's "The Curious Lore of Precious Stones." Explore the legends, superstitions, and sentiments attached to gems throughout history. This meticulously prepared print republication offers a rich tapestry of knowledge concerning precious stones, drawing from historical sources to reveal the beliefs and practices surrounding these captivating treasures.

Discover the lore associated with each stone, from healing properties to symbolic meanings embedded in various cultures. Kunz's exploration unearths the captivating relationship between humanity and the gem kingdom, offering insights into the enduring allure of crystals and their place in our collective consciousness. A timeless compendium of curiosities and wonders, this book is a captivating journey into the heart of gem folklore.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1023552914
• ISBN13: 9781023552912
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Anson Street Press
• Length: 454 Pages
• Weight: 1.39 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Curious Lore of Precious Stones

Good old fashioned stuff by someone who lived for gemstones. Very interesting and informative. Quick delivery.

Classic on Gemstone Lore

I bought this book because Kunz's work has been the basis for much of what we know about ancient gemstone lore. Kunz's lifelong passion for rocks and gemstones began in childhood and as a gemologist and geologist, he was able to collect and organize vast amounts of gemstone lore. He was also a collector of stones, amulets and magical charms, many of which were donated to the American Museum of Natural History. His enthusiasm for the subject is evident and even though this book is nearly 100 years old, I found it surprisingly easy to read.

A precious book

Interesting book dealing about precious stone and their lore in the past.

The Curious Lore of Precious Stones;

I bought this book because I enjoy buying gemstones and rocks and just for fun I wanted to know more about the traditional properties that were associated with them. This book written in 1912 and was last reprinted in 1971. Author, George Frederick Kunz, was no doubt the leading expert of his time. The book is full of all kinds of information, from every religion and culture, and was very well researched. He quotes literature from ancient times through what was known up to his time. His writing style is also consistent with his times, so modern readers may find it a little stiff. There are newer lapidaries available...this is a good and entertaining reference.

A timeless classic devoted to gemstone lore.

Geoge Frederick Kunz's contribution as a gemmologisy at the beginning of the century earned him universal fame and respect, even to the point that one the most popular stones in modern energy work is named after him: Kunzite. Dover has published a reprint of his 1913 monument to the "hidden" side of gems: The Curious Lore of Precious Stones. This 400 page volume contains a wealth of material based on medieval lapidary tomes, history, folklore,the Bible, the Eddas, archeological findings, and oral traditions still alive at the time of Kunz's writing. The casual or serious reader cannot help but be impressed by the depth of understanding Kunz deplayed in page after page of riches associated with all aspects of gems and their uses. Thank you, Dover, for allowing us access to this remarkable book.