Arab Roots of Gemology by Samir Najm Abul Huda
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Book Reviews of Arab Roots of Gemology
Book Review: Facinating translation showing early gemological knowledge
Summary: 5 Stars
There is an old story that the Emperor Shah Jahan was sent a large "ruby" by his son Aurangzeb, The Great Moghul. The son who had deposed his father and shut him up in the Red Fort at Agra wished to know if the stone was a true ruby or a "balas" ruby what we know today as a red spinel.
At this time there were a number of famous large rubies known in Europe including the famous Black Prince's Ruby and a large brooch owned by the French crown known as the Four Brothers. European gemological knowledge at this time was not so far advanced as to make the separation between the true and balas stone.
Ms. Huda's facinating translation of Al Tifaschi's "Best Thoughts on the Best of Stones" proves that the Arabs could make the separation as early as the 12th Century. Perhaps Shah Jahan had read his book. This is just one of the many interesting insights in this wonderful little book Highly recommended to anyone interested in the history of jewelry and gemology.
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