Imbued with religious and supernatural significance; gemstones have been a source of fascination for humankind since the earliest ages. They are worn as adornment; exchanged as valuable commodities; and regarded as purveyors of health; good fortune; and status.Any story of human developmentmdash;be it of religion; art; culture; trade; commerce; or the rise of scientific knowledgemdash;will inevitably touch; at somepoint; on humanityrsquo;s relationship with gems.From the times of antiquity through the Classical; Neo-Platonic; and Middle Ages; and into the modern age with its fascination for the healingproperties of crystals; gemstones have been valued as a magical remedy for both body and soul. Indeed; the modern term for a gem cutter;lapidary; is derived from the medieval books assembled by those who assessed the medical properties of gems.This book features a selection of the most-beloved gemstones; with examples of jewelry fashioned from each. Sit back; relax; feast your eyes; and assuage your heart as you peruse the following pages to learn more about the beautifully inspiring gemstones of the world!
#2951348 in eBooks 2012-08-07 2012-08-07File Name: B008QXBZDY
Review
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Great Short GuideBy Renee ThorpeMore than an introduction and less than a full course on Balinese architecture. this is an excellent little guide.Plenty of great illustrations on every page. and lots of meaty but hightly readable text is packed together in sidebars and full essays.Very lightweight (meaning it is physically portable). this could come along with a traveler to Bali and be a valuable asset towards understanding temples. villages. etc.Great technical companion to any of the style books on Bali (Bali Style. At Home in Bali. etc). which usually concentrate more on look and style have a large variety of beautiful photos.
