general gemology, gems, jade, Fischer-Book

Sinkankas: The first monograph on gemstones published in the United States and an excellent one at that. In the testimonial letter, James Renwick (1792–1863), LLD, professor of chemistry & physics in Columbia College, noted that “in reference to the native minerals and rocks of the United States, that I conceive your treatise to be most likely to be eminently useful.” In his Gems and Precious Stones of North America, the eventual successor to Feuchtwanger, published in 1890, G.F. Kunz notes that “Dr. Lewis Feuchtwanger, of New York, was, in 1838, an authority on precious stones, and his book was one of the first to be written on the subject in the United States. During his long residence in this country, he made an interesting and valuable collection of minerals, fossils, and gems, many of the latter being fine specimens, but it has not been sold, and is in the possession of his daughters. Moving has greatly damaged this collection, which originally included nearly 900 specimens; it was placed on sale in 1874, and for a time was deposited in the American Museum of Natural History in New York” (p. 322). In regard to the priority of Feuchtwanger’s book, I have not found any published earlier and unlike Kunz, conclude that it is the first. The text begins with general gemology: properties, chemistry, geology, geographical distribution, enhancement of color, gem setting, cleaning of gems, imitations, commerce, and gems used in optical applications. The second part considers individual gemstones and ornamental materials beginning with the diamond and working through the major and minor species into such rarities as natrolite, apatite, pyrite, and numerous ornamental stones. Feuchtwanger took special care to record as much information as he could find on native gemstones and the localities that furnished them, and while some localities were previously recorded by Samuel Robinson in his Catalogue of American Minerals, 1825, these were treated very briefly and without amplifying details such as characterizes Feuchtwanger’s treatment. Another “first” of the present work is the extended description of pearls, artificial pearls, and corals, but nothing was said about the freshwater pearls of the United States which apparently were largely unknown at the time. As alluded to in Renwick’s letter, Feuchtwanger’s writing sometimes borders on the quaint, but all of it is easily followed and forms much pleasant as well as informative reading. Very rare.

gems, jade, Fischer-Book

A vast illustrated French series devoted to the history, geography, peoples and cultures of the world. Published by Firmin Didot from the mid-nineteenth century, L’Univers pittoresque was divided geographically into sections on Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania and comprised dozens of separately authored volumes. The series combines historical narrative with descriptions of geography, religion, customs, dress, industries, monuments, natural resources and material culture, accompanied by thousands of engraved illustrations. For gemological research, individual volumes are useful for references to regional minerals, precious stones, jewelry, mining and decorative arts, although the content and authority vary according to the individual author. Contemporary bibliographies commonly describe the complete series as 67 volumes, though some sets and catalogues count the parts differently.

gems, jade, Fischer-Book

A short scholarly notice by Johann Andreas Schmeller on the fourteenth-century German writer Konrad von Megenbergand the state of natural-history knowledge in medieval Germany. Schmeller discusses Konrad’s life and writings, particularly his Buch der Natur, one of the earliest substantial natural-history works in the German language, and considers its place in the transmission of medieval scientific knowledge to a vernacular audience. Of particular interest to gemological history is Konrad’s treatment of stones and minerals, which preserves medieval descriptions, names and traditional properties of precious stones derived largely from earlier Latin authorities. Schmeller’s paper is valuable for the nineteenth-century rediscovery and study of this important medieval natural-history text.

corundum, Burma.12, gems

A biographical memoir by Henry Burney of the Italian Catholic missionary Giuseppe d’Amato, who spent nearly five decades in Burma and died at Moun-lha in 1832. Burney describes d’Amato’s long residence in the country, his missionary work, knowledge of Burmese language and society, and the respect he had acquired among the local population. Of particular gemological importance, d’Amato had personally visited the precious-stone mines of Kyat-pyen (Kyatpyin) in the Mogok district and left a description of their workings. That account, published separately in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal in 1833, is among the earliest firsthand European descriptions of the Burmese ruby mines. Burney’s memoir is therefore an important source for establishing d’Amato’s identity, background and connection with the early documentation of Mogok.

gems, jade, Fischer-Book, turquoise, Mexico, Maya, Aztec, Olmec, greenstone

A monumental nine-volume publication devoted to the antiquities and pictorial manuscripts of pre-Columbian Mexico, assembled by Edward King, Viscount Kingsborough. The work reproduces in elaborate facsimile a number of major Mexican codices and other Indigenous manuscripts preserved in European collections, accompanied by historical, linguistic and antiquarian commentary drawn from colonial sources. Its contents document religion, calendrical systems, tribute, costume, warfare, ritual and material culture. Of particular relevance to gemological research are depictions and references to valued materials such as greenstone/jade, turquoise, gold and other ornaments used in elite and ceremonial contexts. Despite Kingsborough’s highly speculative interpretations, the volumes remain an important early source for the publication and study of Mesoamerican manuscripts and material culture.

gems, Brazil, diamond, topaz, gold

A two-volume account by the Irish clergyman and traveler Robert Walsh describing Brazil during his residence and travels there in 1828–1829. The work covers Rio de Janeiro and journeys into the interior, with observations on politics, society, slavery, religion, natural history, agriculture and commerce. Of particular gemological interest is Walsh’s visit to Minas Gerais, where he describes mining districts, gold workings and the Capão topaz mine near Ouro Preto (Vol. 2, pp. 104–108), including the occurrence and extraction of Brazilian topaz. The work is a valuable firsthand source for the mineral wealth and mining practices of Brazil in the early nineteenth century.

gems, jade, Fischer-Book

A German translation of the seventeenth-century Mongolian chronicle commonly known as the Erdeni-yin Tobči(“Precious Summary”), composed by Ssanang Ssetsen Chungtaidschi of the Ordos Mongols. The work traces the history of the Mongols and their ruling houses from legendary origins through the era of Chinggis Khan and his successors to the seventeenth century, combining dynastic history, genealogy, Buddhist tradition and accounts of relations with Tibet and China. It is an important source for Mongolian historiography and for the political and religious history of Inner Asia. Its relevance to gemological research is secondary, chiefly through references to precious objects, royal gifts and material culture rather than any systematic discussion of gemstones.

gems, corundum, Burma.12, Mogok, ruby, sapphire

Account of a British mission to Ava following the First Anglo-Burmese War, combining a narrative of its journey from Rangoon to the Burmese capital and return with observations on the country’s geography, geology, mineral resources, botany, zoology, and economy. The mission travelled up the Irrawaddy, visiting Prome, the petroleum wells at Renangyoung, Pagan, and Ava, where it attended the Burmese court and concluded a short commercial treaty. Of particular gemological importance is its description of the celebrated ruby and sapphire mines at “Mo-gaot” and “Kyat-pyan,” said to lie about five days’ journey ESE of Ava. Members of the mission examined sapphires in both crystallized and rough states and the gem-bearing gravel, and collected specimens. The stones reported include ruby (“red sapphire”), blue sapphire, spinel ruby, white, yellow, green, opalescent, amethyst and girasol sapphires, together with common corundum. Fine ruby was described as scarce and expensive even at Ava, while blue sapphire was more common and cheaper; one imperfect sapphire examined reportedly weighed 951 carats. The account also records the Burmese king’s claim to rubies and sapphires exceeding 100 ticals in value, the alleged practice of miners breaking valuable stones to evade this claim, and the export of rubies and sapphires by Chinese merchants. Precious serpentine is likewise noted as an important Burmese product exported by the Chinese. The wider scientific survey describes fossiliferous deposits near the petroleum wells, marble around Ava, metallic ores and mining in the Shan regions, the petroleum industry, and extensive botanical collections made during the mission.

corundum, ruby, sapphire, Thailand.12, Cambodia.12, gems

A detailed account of John Crawfurd’s British diplomatic mission to Siam and Cochin China in 1821–1822, combining travel narrative with observations on government, commerce, society, geography and natural resources. Of particular gemological importance are his remarks on the gem deposits of Chanthaburi, where he records sapphire, ruby and “Oriental topaz” (yellow sapphire) occurring in alluvial ground at the foot of the hills. He describes the washing of the gem-bearing soil, notes that the recovered gravel was sent to Bangkok for examination, and states that the Chanthaburi gem workings were a royal monopoly. Crawfurd also compares Siamese ruby and sapphire unfavorably with stones from Ava. The work is an important early nineteenth-century source for the history of the Chanthaburi gem fields and the Siamese gem trade.

gems, turquoise, Iran, Persia, Persian turquoise, Nishapur

An account of James Baillie Fraser’s travels through the Persian provinces bordering the southern Caspian Sea, describing the geography, peoples, settlements, political conditions, commerce, and natural resources encountered along his route. The cited pages (pp. 343–347) are of particular gemological interest for Fraser’s discussion of turquoise and its trade, including observations on the stones, their sources, qualities, valuation, and commercial importance. The work provides useful firsthand evidence for the early nineteenth-century Persian gemstone trade and complements Fraser’s more detailed account of the celebrated turquoise mines of Khorasan.