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Precious

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What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

When Helen Molesworth joined the gem and jewellery industry she began her own love affair with one of humanity's oldest and richest fascinations. For as long as people have known about gemstones they have treasured them. Born of violent geological events and the chance meetings of minerals, their stories are an extraordinary journey through time, and are significant to the human narrative in as many ways as they boast sparkling facets.

Selecting ten of nature's most dazzling jewels, Helen Molesworth makes journeys across the world to trace stones from their discovery to the moment a glimmering cut and polished masterpiece is traded, and then fought over, adorns oligarchs and kings, falls out of favour, and then raises eye-watering sums in another age. Touching on history and politics, archaeology and engineering, geography and geology, chemistry and physics, psychology and romance, fine art and high finance, her book is rich with great stories and has something for everyone.

©2023 Helen Molesworth (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critics Review

  • This is – fittingly – a gem of a book. Rich descriptions, fascinating histories and, at times, just pure, dazzling bling. A joy to read.

    Tracy Borman, author of Elizabeth's Women, Thomas Cromwell and The Private Lives of the Tudors

  • Reading Precious is like opening history’s treasure-chest, to discover a trove of fascinating information.

    Jane Robinson, author of Trailblazer, Hearts and Minds and Bluestockings

  • Merging knowledge with fascination she shows us that the preciousness of gems does not lie solely in their sparkle but in their story.

    Clare Hunter, author of Threads of Life: A History of the World Through the Eye of a Needle

  • Engaging and illuminating, Precious is a masterclass in the history of gems. It’s also great fun to read – one of those books where the learning is effortless as Helen invites the reader to join her while she visits glittering palaces, explores muddy sapphire mines and values some of the most phenomenal jewels on the planet.

    Francesca Cartier Brickell, author of The Cartiers

  • Beautifully written and superbly interesting, Helen Molesworth tells a compelling, global story of gems – their unending allure and continuing impact on human history.

    Dr Tristram Hunt, Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum

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