I went into this book expecting simple facts about gemstones but I was AMAZED by how in-depth the author’s knowledge of gemmology and geology were. I especially adored the chapters on emerald, ruby, and sapphire, and how some gems are the same mineral or element, just with other trace elements affecting their appearance. It was really interesting that each gem had its own chapter, and I loved learning about the history of crystals throughout the years, and how colour theory affected value and opinion across the ages. This is a fantastic book for any crystal fan, or anyone looking for a gripping bit of non-fiction.

The many facets of gems

I learned a lot from this book. It made me consider the wider context of gems and want to dig deeper and find out more. The book looks at gems from their geological, chemical, physical, historical, political and human perspectives.

I gained a new appreciation of gems, the lengths people will go to to extract them from the earth and the skill involved in cutting the raw stones to reveal the beauty of the stones. The convoluted tales behind some of the world’s most famous gems often read like thriller novels and offer fascinating insights into history and well-known personalities from royalty to film stars alike. Well worth a read.

I was given this book from the author via netgalley only for the pleasure of reading and leaving an honest review should I choose to.

This was really a interesting look at humanity's obsession with precious stones. The book takes the reader to castles, museums and auction house to look in depth at gems, and tells a story around them. It's really fascinating read.

This is a wonderful introduction to the world of precious stones and jewellery, its history and geography. As someone in the gem and jewellery industry the author has travelled the world, and has been fortunate in seeing some of the world's most precious stones and jewels. I found this a thoroughly interesting read and whilst the maps at the beginning are useful I am disappointed with the lack of photographs and illustrations. Thank you Net Galley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a broad and sweeping history of humanity’s love affair with all kinds of rocks that it takes out of the ground. From emeralds, rubies, sapphires, pearls, diamonds, and a plethora more gemstones, this book explores the history, geology, mining process, landmark stones and famous owners. From Genghis Khan to Queen Elizabeth to Marie Antoinette to Elizabeth Taylor, it includes a who's who of historic gemstone owners.

The book is filled with fascinating stories about amazing gems, either loose or set in historic jewellery that survived journies across the world, and passing down through generations, and the journeys they encountered along the way. The history that some of the stones have held is unfathomable.

The author brings us on a journey of unprecedented access to the back rooms of auction houses where she has gotten to hold some of the most amazing gems in the world, to museums and castles, where she has seen some of history's most iconic jewellery. Her passion for her job and the field really shines in this book, making you really think twice about some of these pieces of jewellery we wear.

The author's ability to talk about such a subject and bring her passion and knowledge of such technical aspects of the role along with the more fun aspects (holding sparkly things!) is brilliant, showcasing the study of gems as an almost Indiana Jones-esque role. Some archaeology and adventure, some history and geology, some science, but above all, passion for what you do.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, loving how each chapter focused on a different gem, making it easy to pick up and put down as time allowed. I highly recommend this as a read, and look forward to Helen Molesworth writing more and sharing more of her passions with us in such an accessible manner.

*I received this copy for review from NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

Throughout history different gemstones have been valued and gone in and out of fashion. In this book the formation and history of these gems are recounted and woven around anecdotes from the life of an expert. Molesworth has a real passion for her subject and this book does go into serious geological detail but that is woven around so many fascinating stories. It' s a surprisingly great book!

Precious by Helen Molesworth is a fascinating study of gemstones, from a both a historical and geological perspective written by a woman whose love and enthusiasm for the subject shines through. The author is of course very knowledgeable on the subject given her career as a senior Jewellery Curator at the world famous V&A Museum but I was impressed by her ability to share her experience in a very natural almost conversational way.
From the expected diamonds and rubies to pearls and jade, the book covers a range of precious materials including some I had never heard of like spinel. While the basics of the geology and formation of the gems is interesting it was the history and traditions that the author explores that really fascinated me, from ancient customs to modern scandals. As this was an ARC there were no illustrations, but I imagine that is remedied in the final published version and I can only imagine how much that will add to the enjoyment of an already informative book.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

A really interesting book. Molesworth is obviously obsessed with precious stones and her enthusiasm comes out in the book. She covers everything from the mining, the gem's chemical make up, cultural history to the greatest diadems. Unfortunately I was reading an advanced copy on Kindle and there were no illustrations. I would hope this is corrected in the final version. Some pieces I knew such as the Sutton Hoo treasures and the Duchess of Windsor's jewellery but ended up googling photos. There were some surprises. I had never thought quartz as precious until the book identified many types such as amethyst.
Precious is a very informative book but totally entertaining.

This was a fascinating book, and the knowledge and enthusiasm of the author really shines through. As she says near the beginning, the study of gems involves so many different skills including, history, geology, engineering, and high finance among others, and she manages to tell the stories of various gems in an easy to read manner without becoming dry or textbook like. I will definitely add the V and A jewellery collection to my itinerary the next time I'm in London.
My only slight disappointment was I would have liked lots more illustrations and pictures.
Thank you to netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book

I love precious gems as general but never want to know background details stories about it, at least until this book. Precious was very informative but in interesting ways. It is delivering interesting facts about how they found the most precious type, background histories and fascinating details to prepare the gems and all fun stuff about ten most famous precious gemstones in the world.

The book offer fun journey with warm and humorous narratives. I would love some photos and beautiful pictures to complete this nonfiction about precious gems book.

Thank you Netgalley and Doubleday Random House UK, Transworld for providing copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Expecting Publication : 23 May 2024

I so enjoyed reading this book about precious gems and the author’s experience as a gemologist. She talks us through various gems and their histories and the people who have owned some of the most beautiful jewels in the world. It’s truly an eye opening book. I discovered so much about what a gemologist does and how other skilled people have to be involved for cutting and polishing etc. So much of what happens to the stones, I really had no idea about. It’s just such a fascinating world and I have thoroughly enjoyed the information I have read. It had never occurred to me that there would have been so many people from centuries past who have handled these precious gems and passed them down through history. Thank you for allowing me to share in your amazing journey through jewellery.

I enjoyed this book far more than I expected to. It is certainly not a dry academic tome. A thrilling ride through the history of gems, with fascinating details and insights.

An interesting and informative book. Full of personal anecdotes as well as the history of the stones and their popularity . The vagaries of fashion as there worth rose and diminished.
The world locations where specific stones are found and mined.
All told in a wonderful way that teaches but does not preach.

This book is as much a gem as the ones written about.

By looking at different gems that we all know is someway or other it gives a nice familiarity while also answering questions you didn’t know you had.

By showing the history, science, personal stories and an important pieces of jewellery in each section it has everything you could ever want.

From the gems being formed to modern day and life experiences you end up having the same connection that Molesworth has to them.

Their passion and love shine through in the book that it is easy to get lost in the word that you don’t realise how much time has passed and how much you have just learnt.

For me this book will be always one I recommend to people if they want to read an interesting non-fiction book.

I was offered the chance to read Precious by the publisher as I’d reviewed a previous non-fiction book of theirs last year; as I mostly request fiction on NetGalley I’m not sure I’d have come across it otherwise. I’d not heard of Helen Molesworth, Senior Jewellery Curator at the V&A, before but that’s a sign of my ignorance as I see now from a quick search of the Waterstones website that she has written extensively on art. Her writing style drew me in from the first page: her enthusiasm for gems is apparent and I was happy to join her for a while.
Precious is wide-ranging – we learn about the geology and chemical structure of gemstones, along with the history of their discovery, extraction and trade. That history is a window on world social and political history, gems having had a role in the establishment of trade routes and in diplomacy. Each chapter includes notable examples, some of which I had heard of and some I hadn’t. This combination means that Precious is packed with information but its’ very digestible: a chapter can easily be devoured in a sitting and you might find yourself taking just a peek at the next.
Each chapter on how gems form, where and how they are extracted, and what is done with them is interesting enough in itself but it’s Molesworth’s personal encounters and recollections that really lift it. The only drawback to having an advance proof copy of this book was the lack of pictures – I often stopped to search for images online. Reading the finished article – with that gorgeous cover – will only enhance the experience. I’m now moved to revisit the Natural History Museum’s minerals gallery and V&A’s jewellery collection and will definitely be looking in jewellers’ windows with more interest.

This is indeed a little gem of a book! There is history, travel, cultural variation, geology, geography, artistic values, symbolism, fashion, religion, economics, language, superstition and personal family history all deftly interwoven by Helen Molesworth's very fine writing. All the rich tapestry of human diversity since time immemorial encapsulated in shiny pieces of rock and the entirely subjective value and symbolism attributed to them is beautifully revealed in "Precious'. Special thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for a no obligation advance review copy.

This is a fascinating book. Not only does the author, who has been working with gemstones for many years in many different capacities, discuss the science of various gems, but she also details their cultural histories. As she says at the beginning of the book, "Gems have a value that spans the aesthetic, cultural, financial, and historical: they are significant to the human narrative in almost as many ways as they can boast sparkling facets. They are the ultimate meeting of science and stories." (p.4) She does a great job of incorporating both in this book. Each chapter is devoted to a particular gem--emerald, ruby, sapphire, garnet, pearl, spinel, quartz, diamond, coloured diamond, and jade. Within the chapters she skillfully tells some of the stories associated with the gem, from scientific, cultural, historical, financial, and personal perspectives. This is an approach that is highly successful. For me, who does not have a passion for gems as the author does, it was what gems represent in various cultures at various times that interested me most. She correctly makes the point that the value we place on gems is arbitrary in some ways. For example, in the chapter in spinel (which I had never heard of), we learn that it used to be more desirable and sought after than diamonds at one time. Diamonds have had better marketing, though, so the tables have turned. One of the other things I loved about the book was the author's enthusiasm for gems. Her passion and delight in her work leaps off the pages. In short, this was a great read. I highly recommend it.

This is a very informative book on the history of different gems. It is perfect for anyone interested in jewellery and wants to find out more about the back story of what they love.

This is a book I would highly recommend to anyone, and everyone. It is well-written, readable and extremely informative about precious gems and jewellery - their history, their place in trade, myths, where they are found, their importance.

Helen Molesworth is steeped in gemmology, loves her work - in auction houses, museums and academia -and her enthusiasm informs this book, adding to the reader's enjoyment.

Just one piece of constructive criticism - it would have been lovely to have photos/illustrations.

With many thanks to NetGalley and TransWorld Digital for and ARC.

Wow, wow, wow. As a gemstone lover I was thrilled to get a copy of this book to review and couldn't wait to dive into the book to learn more about my favourite sparklies.

This is a fascinating read about the gemstones, their history, provenance, formation and location. From rubies and emeralds, to diamonds of all different colours and even the less well known spinel this is an interesting and engaging book. Helen takes us by the hand and leads us through some of our most well known and well loved stones with reference to how they came to be discovered, how they formed and what they are made of. Some of the most famous gems of our history are discussed, including how they have exchanged hands down the centuries - including travelling by first class mail!!

I loved this book and I know I will be re-reading it again. I would have liked some pictures to illustrate the famous stones being discussed (I'm thinking of the Koh-I-Noor diamond in particular here) as I spent a considerable amount of time having to google the stones to see what they looked like, but perhaps this is just a downside of the e-book version.

All in all this is a great read for lovers of gems.

With thanks to the publishers and netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.