Where
do they come from? What are they made of? How can they be
distinguished? What is their value? — are questions often asked with
regard to gems, the answers to which must be sought from widely
scattered sources. In the hope of affording means for answering these
questions within concise and convenient limits, the accompanying work
has been prepared. It has been sought in it to avoid technical
discussions; but at the same time the use of scientific terms has not
been shunned, since they give increased accuracy. The subject as a
whole has been treated from the mineralogical standpoint, it being
believed by the writer that this affords the best basis for a thorough
knowledge of gems. Each gem is considered under the mineral species to
which it belongs; as, for example, ruby and sapphire under corundum;
emerald and aquamarine under beryl, etc. It is probable that several
gems may not at once be recognized under this grouping; but on the
other hand, such an arrangement is likely to lead to a knowledge of
some now little used.
In
the preparation of this book the writings of others have been freely
drawn upon; and in making acknowledgment of these the writer would
refer the reader to them as means of obtaining information upon many
points of which the scope of the present treatise has forbidden mention.
First should be mentioned the Edelsteinkunde of
Max Bauer, a most elaborate and accurate general treatise upon gems of
the present day. Other useful general works are Emanuel's " Diamonds
and Precious Stones," Church's "Precious Stones," and Feuchtwanger's "A
Popular Treatise on Gems." Kunz's "Gems and Precious Stones of North
America" leaves nothing to be desired in the treatment of this field;
and the annual reports in the " Mineral Resources of the United States
" by the same indefatigable worker serve to convey from time to time
the latest information upon gem matters. Besides the above mentioned,
there are numerous works devoted to special provinces of the study of
gems, which have been and may be consulted with profit. Among these may
be mentioned Buffum's " The Tears of the Pleiades; " Shelley's "Legends
of Gems," King's "Antique Gems," Streeter's "The Great
xi
