A review by ellenguyenphuonglinh
Precious: The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time by Helen Molesworth

4.0

These ups and downs are part of the story of every gemstone, and have been throughout their history. I could not put it better than the Persian scholar al-Biruni, who wrote in the eleventh century: "The prices of jewels are not stable. There is no law governing their prices, and there is no reason why these prices should not fluctuate with time and place. Each country, each nation carries its own temper. Furthermore, at one time nobles begin to sell them off and at others, to stock them. Stones are plentiful at one time and scarce at another. God grants honor to some and disgrace to others."