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Rocks, Ice and Dirty Stones: Diamond Histories

Amazon.com Price:  $16.99 (as of 08/05/2019 17:38 PST- Details)

Description

The king of stones, valued since antiquity for their unrivalled hardness, diamonds these days are both desired and deplored. Once faceted and polished they glitter at the fingers of brides-to-be and in the ornaments of the super-wealthy, but their extraction from one of the vital world’s poorest countries remains contentious. Immensely valuable for their size, diamonds can also be easily hidden and transported, making them perfect contraband. Diamonds have been widely used in industry because the nineteenth century and have long been valued for their pharmaceutical and prophylactic properties.

This entertaining and richly illustrated book examines the history of the diamond trade through the centuries from India and Brazil to South Africa and Europe and investigates what happens to diamonds once they reach the cutters and polishers. Marcia Pointon takes the reader on a unique tour of the ways in which the quadrahedron diamond shape has inspired design, architecture, and painting, from the symbolism of medieval manuscripts to up to date-day graffiti. She questions the etiquette of engagement rings, and she reminds us why and how lost, stolen, or cursed diamonds create suspense in such a lot of classic novels and films. This compelling and fascinating account of the history of sparklers around the globe will appeal to all who covet, in addition to all who despise, the unparalleled brilliance and glitter of the diamond.
 

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