Diamonds and Gems: A Journey of Discovery 53

Author: (French) Patrick Vadeboncoeur, translated by Qian Peixin, Dai Xiaolan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: Gems, the treasures of the mineral world, have long captivated human fascination. It seems that this natural, perfect formation embodies the essence of the creator. Diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires appeared early in human history, first gaining symbolic significance due to their rarity. Later, these extraordinary gems became the of the world's elite: Indian rulers possessed the world's most beautiful diamonds and rubies; the Aztec Empire held the "hand-sized" emeralds; and European royalty,, did not lag behind, acquiring gems that had long been dreamed of from the East and the New World. The diamond fever that swept across Europe in the 19th century was merely a prelude to our era's emotions: if "diamonds are forever" is true, then emeralds, sapphires, and rubies are just as so. The gemologist and traveler Patrick Vadeboncoeur faithfully records the history of gems.