Precious

'A gem of a book' - Tracy Borman

When Helen Molesworth joined the gem and jewellery industry she began her own love affair with one of humanity's oldest and richest fascinations. For as long as people have known about gemstones they have treasured them. Born of violent geological events and the chance meetings of minerals, their stories are an extraordinary journey through time, and are significant to the human narrative in as many ways as they boast sparkling facets.

Selecting ten of nature's most dazzling jewels, Helen Molesworth makes journeys across the world to trace stones from their discovery to the moment a glimmering cut and polished masterpiece is traded, and then fought over, adorns emperors and kings, falls out of favour, and then raises eye-watering sums in another age. Touching on history and politics, archaeology and engineering, geography and geology, chemistry and physics, psychology and romance, fine art and high finance, her book is rich with great stories and has something for everyone.

Format: Paperback

Date Published: 20/03/2025

ISBN: 9781529177466

Where possible, all our deliveries are fulfilled by Royal Mail. The shipping cost for standard UK orders is £4.95.

For all international deliveries the rates are calculated at the checkout. Please note that we're currently unable to ship to the EU.

Please allow 7 to 10 working days for delivery. If you're ordering jewellery delivery is approximately 2 weeks.

For Art Prints please allow 5 working days for unframed prints and 15 working days for framed prints/ stretched canvas. Please note that as Art Prints are made to order we cannot accept returns if you have changed your mind or made a mistake. If we have made a mistake or there is a problem with your order please contact us.

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