Gems in Myth Legend and Lore [Paperback]

Bruce G. Knuth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1999

Gems have been prized for thousands of years, not only for their beauty and rarity, but also for their supposed mystic and magical qualities. This book, in the tradition of ancient lapidaries, traces the use of gems in religion, medicine, magic, and astrology.

Amethyst comes from the anointed body of a Greek maiden.

Ruby, whether male or female, can boil water and heal wounds.

Turquois protects the rider against a fall from a horse.

Amber contains trapped fairies, angels, and the souls of ancestors. These and thousands of other beliefs regarding gems have been collected and chronicled by the author. Myths, legends, and lore gathered from numerous cultures are included for each stone. This reference also includes the gemological characteristics of each stone, a new translation of Jean de Mandevilles fourteenth century Le Lapidaire, and hundreds of quotations regarding precious stones from classic pieces of literature. Gems in Myth Legend and Lore is the most comprehensive lapidary available. A work that continues a tradition of gem literature spanning over two thousand years.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Jewelers Press is proud to announce that Gems in Myth, Legend, and Lore by Bruce Knuth was selected as one of three national finalists for the 2000 Benjamin Franklin Award for the New Age (metaphysical, spiritual) category. The Benjamin Franklin Awards are sponsored by the Publisher's Marketing Association, and celebrate excellence in editorial and design content for titles published in 1999. Judges for the Benjamin Franklin Awards come from all areas of the industry: major newspaper and trade media reviewers, bookstore and library buyers and reviewers, non-competing publishers, artists and writers who serve the industry.

Gems in Myth, Legend, and Lore focuses on those gems prized for thousands of years, not only for their beauty and rarity, but their supposed mystic and magical qualities. This book, in the tradition of ancient lapidaries, traces the use of gems in religion, medicine, magic, and astrology. As judges of the Benjamin Franklin Awards wrote about Gems in Myth, Legend, and Lore:

"It is a beautiful book, very well done . . . The information is very informative, easy to read." "Very well done the pictures are great along with the folklore! A good addition for any library."

Awards were presented on Thursday, June 1st at the Chicago Marriott Downtown at which time winners were recognized for setting the standards and the pace for the publishing industry. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

About the Author

Jeweler, gemologist, and educator Bruce G. Knuth holds a B.S. degree in fine arts and an M.A. in jewelry and metals from Western Michigan University. He has also studied at the University of Kansas, Colorado State University, the Gemological Institute of America, and Colorado Mountain College. His Jewelers Resource, published in 1994, has become a standard reference for jewelers and jewelry students.

Other Books By Bruce G. Knuth
Jeweler's Resource 0-9643550-0-0

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 310 pages
• Publisher: Jewelers Press (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964355019
• ISBN-13: 978-0964355019
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,715,357 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gems in Myth, Legend and Lore, September 16, 2006

By 

Eve Curtis "myth collector" (Waban, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gems in Myth Legend and Lore (Library Binding)

Written by a gemologist/jeweler, Gems in Myth, Magic and Lore, combines minerological information with a comprehensive review of gemstone lore. Knuth begins the book with a succinct, but comprehensive, review of the history of gemstone lore as it coincides with the rise of gemology as a field of scientific study.

The second part of the book details 46 of the most common gemstones. Each gemstone entry includes a large photograph of the stone, minerological information and the gemstone lore. The lore is presented very respectfully with an acknowledgment that we do not know everything and that there are factual bases to many of these beliefs. As a bonus, there are numerous, well referenced footnotes for each of the stones.

In the third part of the book, he includes information that I have not found elsewhere such mythological gems and gems in literature. There is even a compete copy of a famous Lapidarium writen in the Middle Ages. This section also has some very useful and well done charts detailing things like birthstones through the ages and the significance of gemstone shape.

In my work as a jewelry designer, many of my customers ask my advice about which stones they should use for different forms of protection or as an aid to achieve their goals. In order to help them, I began researching gemstone history and lore. I have now read about 15 books on the subject and I have found that many of them offer contradictory explanations and/or information that is too general or too vague to be of much use. For my purposes, Knuth's book has been the most helpful.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very pleased, August 11, 2006

By 

Claire Toney "beadedwhimsy" (Rancho Cordova, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gems in Myth Legend and Lore (Library Binding)

This book was worth every penny. It discussed myths and legends throughout history associated with a great variety of precious and semi-precious gemstones from different cultures. Very easy and interesting to read. The pictures were not as clear as I expected from a library bound book, but it doesn't really distract from the quality of information. The best book that I have found so far on the subject of gemstone lore. If you are gemologist, this is worth including in your library, as it is a welcome deviation from the science that most gemstone books cover.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gems in Myth, Legend, and Lore, August 15, 2000

By 

Sandra Good (PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gems in Myth Legend and Lore (Paperback)

Fantastic book. Full of gemstone lore that will dazzle, and impress. Great selling tool for anyone in the jewelry or gem trade.