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Legendary Gems: Or Gems That Made History, Bruton, Eric
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£5.49
Condition:
Very Good
A book that has been read and does not look new, but is in excellent condition. No obvious damage to the book cover, with the dust jacket (if applicable) included for hard covers. No missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, no underlining or highlighting of text, and no writing in the margins. Some identifying marks on the inside cover, but this is minimal. Very little wear and tear. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections.
- Buy it nowLegendary Gems: Or Gems That Made History, Bruton, Eric
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Located in: GB, United Kingdom
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eBay item number:146420346637
Item specifics
- Condition
- Title
- Legendary Gems: Or Gems That Made History
- ISBN
- 0719801613
- EAN
- 9780719801617
- Type
- Hardback
- Binding
- Hardback
- Date of Publication
- 1993-11-08
- Publication Name
- N/A
- Release Title
- Legendary Gems: Or Gems That Made History
- Artist
- Bruton, Eric
- Brand
- N/A
- Colour
- N/A
- Publication Year
- 1993
- Format
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- Book Title
- Legendary Gems: or Gems That Made History
- Item Height
- 232mm
- Publisher
- T.H.E. Crowood Press LTD
- Topic
- Natural Materials
- Item Width
- 176mm
- Item Weight
- 975g
- Number of Pages
- 256 Pages
About this product
Product Information
Bright-coloured stones found in ancient riverbeds or on desolate desert floors have often had a more lasting influence on human destiny than the words or actions or contemporary military, ecclesiastic, or political rulers. Some stones were powerful because of their supposed mystical properties; others acquired such value that they financed armies and changed the balance of power among nations. Love of precious stones created vendettas and bloody murder at least as vicious as those inspired by the love of man for woman. The gemstone is inert, lifeless, immobile: it wields its influence only thought the human mind and is often imbued with superhuman attributes, such as invincibility or wisdom, that are allegedly transferred to the owner. But men die; gems exist forever, unless destroyed by a sharp blow or by fire. Thus, the most notorious stones have exerted influence over many centuries: the Mogul Empire was lost because of the Koh-i-Noor, which played a central role in the disembowelment, castration, and deposition of successive shahs, not to mention being the impetus behind Agha Muhammed's demand for 20,000 pairs of eyeballs, every one of which he counted with the tip of his sword. Napoleon pawned the Regent Diamond to finance his armies, then paid off the loan with the spoils of conquest. He redeemed the diamond in time to have it set in his sword hilt for his coronation. The Regent recurs tantalizingly often in European power struggles, but was hidden from the Nazis when Hitler invaded France and has never been seen again. The Sancy Diamond was sent to Henry of Navarre for funds to raise troops: the trusted messenger's body was found in a forest, the diamond safe in his stomach, and Henry became king. Gems still exert a powerful influence on the modern world, enlightened though it is said to be: once poverty-stricken, Botswana has recently found sudden wealth under the desert sands, where diamonds have been hiding for a hundred million years. In the Congo, Zaire, and Angola, civil war in our times has been inspired partly by mineral riches. And the rivalry of East and West over the African continent is concerned almost entirely with natural resources. This absorbing and often astonishing history of legendary gems is told with style and wit by expert gemmologist Eric Bruton. Amid legends and intrigue are hard facts about gems - classification, valuation and engraving. Prospecting and mining details, plus the inside (and sometimes sordid) stories of how enormous stones were cut and dispersed in great secrecy, make this book a 'must' read for the gemmologist and jeweller.
Product Identifiers
Publisher
T.H.E. Crowood Press LTD
ISBN-13
9780719801617
eBay Product ID (ePID)
91741476
Product Key Features
Book Title
Legendary Gems: or Gems That Made History
Format
Hardcover
Language
English
Topic
Natural Materials
Publication Year
1993
Number of Pages
256 Pages
Dimensions
Item Height
232mm
Item Width
176mm
Item Weight
975g
Additional Product Features
Country/Region of Manufacture
United Kingdom
Item description from the seller
Seller business information
VAT number: DE 281042328, EL 996857788, ES N8267548I, FR 27823676960, GB 922696893, IT 00185819992
CRN: 06437594
About this seller
World of Books Ltd
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Seller Feedback (13,839,124)
- u***t (2242)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseA smooth and professional transaction throughout. The item was exactly as described, clearly listed, and fairly priced. Communication from the seller was prompt, polite, and helpful, with dispatch confirmed quickly. The parcel was securely packaged and arrived in excellent condition, ahead of the expected delivery date. Care was taken at every stage of the process. I would be happy to buy from this seller again—many thanks for a reliable and well-handled sale.
- h***i (37)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseThe seller kindly got in touch to say the book I ordered did not meet the quality advertised due to being found to be in a poor condition at the packing stage. Unfortuntely no replacement was available and would I like to pick a book of equivalent value from the marketplace - which I did. That book arrived safely and was in the condition advertised. I have used this seller many times before and I am grateful for their quality control decission, rather than send me a damaged book. Will use again.Elements of Programming Style, Secon..., Plauger, P. J. (#146388497207)
- a***m (183)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseAmazing seller! Very fast shipping 2 days, with tracking number, item in great condition-as described, well made package for protection, nice communication-friendly people-quick response, very good price for item and shipping, Thanks a lot!
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Seller Feedback (13,839,124)
- u***t (2242)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseA smooth and professional transaction throughout. The item was exactly as described, clearly listed, and fairly priced. Communication from the seller was prompt, polite, and helpful, with dispatch confirmed quickly. The parcel was securely packaged and arrived in excellent condition, ahead of the expected delivery date. Care was taken at every stage of the process. I would be happy to buy from this seller again—many thanks for a reliable and well-handled sale.
- h***i (37)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseThe seller kindly got in touch to say the book I ordered did not meet the quality advertised due to being found to be in a poor condition at the packing stage. Unfortuntely no replacement was available and would I like to pick a book of equivalent value from the marketplace - which I did. That book arrived safely and was in the condition advertised. I have used this seller many times before and I am grateful for their quality control decission, rather than send me a damaged book. Will use again.Elements of Programming Style, Secon..., Plauger, P. J. (#146388497207)
- a***m (183)- Feedback left by buyer.Past 6 monthsVerified purchaseAmazing seller! Very fast shipping 2 days, with tracking number, item in great condition-as described, well made package for protection, nice communication-friendly people-quick response, very good price for item and shipping, Thanks a lot!