The Curious Lore of Precious Stones is George Frederick Kunz’s encyclopedic survey of the sentiments, folklore, superstitions, and symbolism attached to gems across history and cultures. A celebrated gemologist, Kunz gathers beliefs about the medicinal, protective, religious, and divinatory powers of stones, along with birthstones, talismans, and astrological associations.
The book ranges from crystal gazing to lucky stones, drawing on classical, medieval, and folk sources to show how humans have invested minerals with meaning. Rich in anecdote and learning, it blends mineralogy with the anthropology of belief. For readers interested in folklore, the history of jewelry, or the cultural life of objects, Kunz’s classic offers an inexhaustible treasury of curious and well-documented lore.