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Jewels: A Secret History

This book delves into the rich tapestry of jewels, tracing their origins, their use in various civilizations, and the myths and legends associated with them. It examines the scientific, economic, and symbolic aspects of jewels, offering a detailed look at their historical and cultural impact. more

Author

Victoria Finlay
Victoria Finlay

Victoria Finlay is a British writer known for her in-depth research into gems and artifacts. Her work often involves history, culture, and art, particularly focusing on items from the Eastern and colonial periods. Born on November 19, 1964, Finlay graduated from Oxford University with a degree in art history. more

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“In 1879 the Bengali scholar S.M. Tagore compiled a more extensive list of ruby colors from the Purana sacred texts: ‘like the China rose, like blood, like the seeds of the pomegranate, like red lead, like the red lotus, like saffron, like the resin of certain trees, like the eyes of the Greek partridge or the Indian crane…and like the interior of the half-blown water lily.’ With so many gorgeous descriptive possibilities it is curious that in English the two ancient names for rubies have come to sound incredibly ugly.”

TwoEyeCertainNamesSoundWaterHalfTreeBloodPossibilityColorRedSacredRoseAncientUglyChinaSeedsListsCuriousIndianGreekScholarInteriorsGorgeousLiliesRubiesLotusesBengaliTagoreCranesSaffronPomegranatesSacred TextsWater Lily
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“Human life is fragile: we live in the space between one breath and the next. We often try to maintain an illusion of permanence, through what we do, say, wear, buy, and how we enjoy ourselves and who and how we love. Yet it is an illusion that is constantly being undermined by change and death. We can use diamonds in whatever way we like. They are empty things, pretty as water, yet within them—if we want to see it—there is blood, dust, love, curses, and suffering. There is desire to make someone happy, there is admiration, there is ostentation…and there is a company’s profit curve.”

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“Once upon a time Apache land would have stretched farther than the horizon, through New Mexico almost to Texas, but as white men found gold, silver, turquoise, and copper beneath its surface they carved up the territory like children sneaking to the fridge and slicing off a chocolate cake bit by bit: hoping at first that the loss wouldn’t be noticed but ultimately not really caring.”

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Book:Jewels: A Secret History
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