The Curious Lore Of Precious Stones: An Illustrated Guide to the History and Powers of Gemstones by George Frederick Kunz.

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DESCRIPTION: Hardback with Dust Jacket: 406 pages. Publisher: Bell Publishing Company; (1989). Originally published in 1913, a description of their sentiments and folk lore, superstitions, symbolism, mysticism, use in medicine, protection, prevention, religion, and divination, crystal gazing, birthstones, lucky stones and talismans, astral, zodiacal, and planetary. With 86 illustrations. Includes comments on the therapeutic use of precious and semiprecious stones.

CONDITION: Unread (but not unblemished) hardcover with (replacement) dustjacket. Bell Publishing (1989) 406 pages. The book is clearly unread, but the original owner, despite having never read the book, nonetheless placed a paste-down sticker on the first unprinted page of the book "from the library of". The original owner also evidently tossed the dustjacket, as it came to us without one, so we produced a full-color replacement printed on high-gloss photographic quality paper, enclosed in a mylar cover. It's very handsome and durable. Otherwise the book itself is pristine; pages are crisp, clean, tightly bound, unmarked, undamaged, clearly unread. The covers are likewise clean and unblemished. It's a real shame that the original owner, despite never reading the book, nonetheless placed a paste-down on the first free page, and tossed the dustjacket. Notwithstanding the paste-down and the replacement dustjacket, the condition of the book is otherwise consistent with new stock from an open-shelf bookstore (such as Barnes & Noble, for instance) wherein patrons are permitted to browse open stock, and so otherwise "new" books often show a little handling/shelf/browsing wear. Satisfaction unconditionally guaranteed. In stock, ready to ship. No disappointments, no excuses. PROMPT SHIPPING! HEAVILY PADDED, DAMAGE-FREE PACKAGING! Selling rare and out-of-print ancient history books on-line since 1997. #073c.

PLEASE SEE IMAGES BELOW FOR JACKET DESCRIPTION(S) AND FOR PAGES OF PICTURES FROM INSIDE OF BOOK.

PLEASE SEE PUBLISHER, PROFESSIONAL, AND READER REVIEWS BELOW.

PUBLISHER REVIEW:

REVIEW: Excerpts from history and folklore trace the unusual beliefs and uses of gems since ancient times. Wealth of sources reveal magical powers and exotic uses assigned to dozens of gems.

PROFESSIONAL REVIEW:

REVIEW: Mr. Kunz is the father of American gemology and served in acquisitions for Tiffany's. He is also the discoverer of kunzite. This book is the most excellent, all-in-one resource I have found in an extensive search. My main concern was that most resources had just as much content on witchcraft & the actual casting of spells (which I was NOT interested in). The author treats the subject from a reporter's point of view- stating the various cultural beliefs with his own sociological commentary. This book is full of exciting little tit bits of folklore that has been lost over the years relating to gemstones and precious metals. Once you start reading, it's hard to put down. A must for all students of gemology and jewelry. If you want a one-stop, non-religious/sectarian guide; look no more! (and spend no more extravagant amounts!)

READER REVIEWS:

REVIEW: 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, but the “lore” will provide one with some reasonably interesting chatter when someone asks about your jewelry or you notice theirs. Though there are newer books on the subject available in the marketplace, this is a good and entertaining reference.

REVIEW: I keep going back to this to research this stone or that one. Mr. Kunz is a bit on the dry side, but his information is superlative. Many of the pagan books of today don't give enough resources... Mr. Kunz does. I realize he is not a pagan author, but this is a useful resource for pagans interested in stone work. His contributions to gemology 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. 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 displayed 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.

I always ship books Media Mail in a padded mailer. This book is shipped FOR FREE via USPS INSURED media mail (“book rate”). All domestic shipments and most international shipments will include free USPS Delivery Confirmation (you might be able to update the status of your shipment on-line at the USPS Web Site and free insurance coverage). A small percentage of international shipments may require an additional fee for tracking and/or delivery confirmation. If you are concerned about a little wear and tear to the book in transit, I would suggest a boxed shipment - it is an extra $1.00. Whether via padded mailer or box, we will give discounts for multiple purchases. International orders are welcome, but shipping costs are substantially higher.

Most international orders cost an additional $12.99 to $33.99 for an insuredshipment in a heavily padded mailer, and typically includes some form of rudimentary tracking and/or delivery confirmation (though for some countries, this is only available at additional cost). There is also a discount program which can cut postage costs by 50% to 75% if you’re buying about half-a-dozen books or more (5 kilos+).  Rates and available services vary a bit from country to country.  You can email or message me for a shipping cost quote, but I assure you they are as reasonable as USPS rates allow, and if it turns out the rate is too high for your pocketbook, we will cancel the sale at your request.  ADDITIONAL PURCHASES do receive a VERY LARGE discount, typically about $5 per book (for each additional book after the first) so as to reward you for the economies of combined shipping/insurance costs.  Your purchase will ordinarily be shipped within 48 hours of payment.  We package as well as anyone in the business, with lots of protective padding and containers.

All of our shipments are sent via insured mail so as to comply with PayPal requirements. We do NOT recommend uninsured shipments, and expressly disclaim any responsibility for the loss of an uninsured shipment. Unfortunately the contents of parcels are easily “lost” or misdelivered by postal employees – even in the USA. That’s why all of our domestic shipments (and most international) shipments include a USPS delivery confirmation tag; or are trackable or traceable, and all shipments (international and domestic) are insured. We do offer U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, Registered Mail, and Express Mail for both international and domestic shipments, as well United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (Fed-Ex). Please ask for a rate quotation. We will accept whatever payment method you are most comfortable with. If upon receipt of the item you are disappointed for any reason whatever, I offer a no questions asked return policy. Send it back, I will give you a complete refund of the purchase price (less our original shipping costs).

Most of the items I offer come from the collection of a family friend who was active in the field of Archaeology for over forty years. However many of the items also come from purchases I make in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near East) from various institutions and dealers. Though I have always had an interest in archaeology, my own academic background was in sociology and cultural anthropology. After my retirement however, I found myself drawn to archaeology as well. Aside from my own personal collection, I have made extensive and frequent additions of my own via purchases on Ebay (of course), as well as many purchases from both dealers and institutions throughout the world - but especially in the Near East and in Eastern Europe. I spend over half of my year out of the United States, and have spent much of my life either in India or Eastern Europe. In fact much of what we generate on Yahoo, Amazon and Ebay goes to support The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, as well as some other worthy institutions in Europe connected with Anthropology and Archaeology.

I acquire some small but interesting collections overseas from time-to-time, and have as well some duplicate items within my own collection which I occasionally decide to part with. Though I have a collection of ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, my primary interest is in ancient jewelry. My wife also is an active participant in the "business" of antique and ancient jewelry, and is from Russia. I would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from me. There is a $2 fee for mailing under separate cover. Whenever I am overseas I have made arrangements for purchases to be shipped out via domestic mail. If I am in the field, you may have to wait for a week or two for a COA to arrive via international air mail. But you can be sure your purchase will arrive properly packaged and promptly - even if I am absent. And when I am in a remote field location with merely a notebook computer, at times I am not able to access my email for a day or two, so be patient, I will always respond to every email. And yes, my writing style might seem familiar to you. I have given permission to several other eBay sellers to use my written descriptions and historical information, and you'll find my descriptions and histories widely plagiarized by unauthorized eBay Sellers as well (as the ditty goes, the highest form of compliment). Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE."