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King: Gems or Decorative Stones

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PREFACE.
In the Preface to the ' Natural History of Precious Stones, &c.,' I have fully stated the principles which have guided me in altering the arrangement of my subject from that observed in the First Edition, and in recasting my materials (largely augmented during the interval) into two separate and independent parts. But, for the information of those who may read the present volume alone, and might other­wise be surprised at its apparent incompleteness, it is necessary to mention beforehand that this, omitting the precious, treats exclusively of the commoner species of decorative minerals—the term " Gems" being used for want of any more definite appellation, to designate such as have been claimed as its special dominion by the Glyptic Art of all ages in the world's history, while at the same time subserving, though in a less degree, the purposes of the jeweller. The previous Part, on the other hand, comprises the History of the rise and progress of Mineralogy, as far as regards this province of the science, from the earliest times down to the seventeenth century ; the Description of Precious Stones properly so denominated ; of the Precious Metals considered chiefly in their relation to art ; and of the more important remains exemplifying this relation anywhere preserved. In both divisions the same method of treating the subject has been pursued; but the very
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