On Gemstones is a reference book on ancient gems, their gemological identification, scientific analysis, origin, treatments applied in antiquity and post-deposition alteration effects, including discussions on classical and archaeological literary references.

 

ome of the world's most ancient cultures flourished in the midst of the earth's richest and most varied mineral deposits, which are found in Asia Minor, Central and South Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. Some of these mineral resources, such as lapis lazuli, agate, and carnelian, were mined from a very early date and circulated widely throughout the oikoumene, the known world of classical antiquity. Neither ancient texts nor the archaeological literature has rendered a clear picture of the geographic origins or modes of distribution of even the most well-documented gem materials of the ancient world. The lapidary's repertoire of gemstones and the techniques of his craft, although inferred from descriptions in ancient and archaeological literature, only occasionally have been verified empirically.

In general, the artistic and cultural aspects of the ancient glyptic art (gem carving) are better understood than the gems themselves. Iconography has been the primary focus of study for art historians, archaeologists, and connoisseurs. On Gemstones is a unique reference book about intaglios and cameos of late classical antiquity—Greek, Etruscan and Roman—because art historical and archaeological perspectives are illuminated from a gemological point of view. The essays in this book examine ancient and archaeological literature concerning the identification, taxonomy, geographic origins, and treatments applied to gems in antiquity.

Recognized specialists in archaeology, materials science and gemology bring to bear their knowledge upon ancient gems in the light of gemological and analytical studies of 215 ancient engraved gems in seven international museum collections, including:

• J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu
• Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
• Antikensammlung, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
• The British Museum, London
• Ashmolean Museum, Oxford University
• Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
• The Royal Coin Cabinet, The Hague (now in Leiden)

This book on gems is lavishly illustrated with photographs by Harold and Erica Van Pelt. The photomicrographs by John Koivula provide the first informed glimpses into the internal world of ancient gemstones, and what they can tell us about their identity, origin, and treatment.

CONTRIBUTORS

Editor

Ms. Lisbet Thoresen, Beverly Hills, California

Principal contributing editor

Dr. Karl Schmetzer, mineralogist, Petershausen, Germany

Authors

Sir John Boardman, Lincoln Professor of Classical Archaeology and Art, Emeritus, Oxford University

Mr. Charles W. Fryer, formerly Director, Gemological Institute of America, Carlsbad, California

Dr. Geoff W. Grime, Reader, Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guilford

Mr. John I. Koivula, Chief Gemologist, Gemological Institute of America, Carlsbad, California

Dr. Karl Schmetzer, Petershausen, Germany

Ms. Lisbet Thoresen, Beverly Hills, California

Photographers

Principal Photographers

Harold & Erica Van Pelt, Los Angeles, California

Contributing Photographers

Ellen Rosenbery, Lead Photographer, J. Paul Getty Museum at the Villa, Malibu, California

Photomicrography by John I. Koivula and Lisbet Thoresen

copyright © 2003-2007 Lisbet Thoresen - all rights reserved