1
of
1
Jewels: A Secret History
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 1,601 ratings, 206 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still
learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Summary
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK
Please add to wishlist to be notified when back in stock
Sorry, we're currently out of stock of Jewels: A Secret History. Please add to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.
Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Latest News
Bluey Alert: New Bluey Toys Have Just Arrived!
New Bluey Toys have arrived at Toy Hero
A personal message to our customers
We've heard that some people are surprised to learn that Book Hero is a 100%...
Fiction for Foodies
Lizzy is sharing some of her favourite fiction reads for people who love food as...
Why Is Harry Potter Still So Magical?
Today, 31 July, is Harry Potter's birthday. Every year it rolls around, I find myself...
Book Hero's Favourite Biographies!
The Book Hero team are sharing their favourite biography or memoir - some are recent...
See moreWhen we put on jewels, what are we really wearing? In this scintillating book, Victoria Finlay embarks on her own globe-circling search for the real stories behind some of the gems we prize most.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
Jewels: A Secret History by Victoria Finlay embarks on a captivating journey through the history, lore, and beauty of gemstones. This enthralling narrative weaves together compelling anecdotes, rich historical accounts, and vivid descriptions of some of the world's most famous jewels.
With her characteristic blend of personal adventure and meticulous research, Finlay takes readers on an extraordinary global voyage. From the amber forests of the Baltic to the diamond mines of India, she explores the origins, myths, and cultural significance of a variety of precious stones. Each chapter dedicates itself to a different gem, uncovering the secrets behind these dazzling objects that have fascinated humanity for centuries.
Delve into intriguing stories such as how Cleopatra drank a pearl in a bet against Mark Antony, or how a man's remains were turned into a diamond. Discover the surprising connections between Queen Victoria and a long-forgotten skeleton, and learn about the ancient belief that amber was formed from the tears of prehistoric trees. These and many more tales illuminate the rich tapestry of history and mystique surrounding these natural wonders.
Finlay's writing is infused with a passionate sense of wonder and a deep appreciation for the cultural and historical contexts of jewels. Her travels take her to remote corners of the world, where she uncovers not only the beauty and rarity of gemstones but also the human stories intertwined with them. Her narrative is both educational and riveting, making Jewels: A Secret History a must-read for history buffs, gemstone enthusiasts, and anyone intrigued by the natural and cultural history of our world.
'Glorious . . . anecdote and information accumulate with marvellous abundance and a passionate sense of the fascination of jewels' Spectator
'Filled with eye-catching incidents and stories . . . Finlay's evidence glitters from every page' Sunday Telegraph
'A fascinating and exhaustive travelogue' Times Literary Supplement
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Jewels: A Secret History by Victoria Finlay is widely appreciated for its compelling and colourful exploration of the world of jewels. Readers have praised its engaging anecdotes, meticulous research, and captivating storytelling, describing it as an enchanting and informative journey into the history and significance of these treasured items.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781399716567
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 03 November 2022
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Sceptre
Illustration: Maps and integrated illustrations
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 38.0mm
Width: 128.0mm
Height: 196.0mm
Weight: 360g
Pages: 496
About the Author
Victoria Finlay worked as a journalist in Hong Kong for eleven years, five of which were spent as arts editor for the South China Morning Post. Colour was her first book; since then she has also written Jewels: A Secret History, A Brilliant History of Color in Art, and Fabric: The Hidden History of the Material World. She studied social anthropology and as well as travelling around the world in search of stories about her subjects, from pigments to jewels to art to fabric, has also worked for an international environment charity. She lives near Bath.
Also by Victoria Finlay
View all-
Fabric
Fabric by Victoria Finlay weaves an intricate tapestry of history, culture, and personal narrative, inviting readers on a mesmerising journey across the globe. Through captivating storytelling, Finlay delves into the rich and diverse world of textiles, unravelling the secrets and traditions behind their creation and significance. This profound exploration spans continents and centuries, offering an illuminating perspective on how cloth...Paperback$3299Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Colour
Colour by Victoria Finlay is an extraordinary exploration of the rich, vibrant, and sometimes peculiar history of colours. Embark on a captivating journey that spans continents and centuries as Finlay narrates her adventures from the deep mines of Afghanistan to the boundless Australian outback, from ancient Chinese caves to the fragrant saffron fields of Spain. This book merges travelogue with...PaperbackSold Out
More from History & Military
View all-
12% offSaving Elli
One child. Two years in hiding. Three lives in mortal danger. In Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, near Anne Frank's house, another Jewish girl is hidden. Her name is Elli. Her father has been executed at Mauthausen concentration camp. Her mother is fleeing for her life. Elli is next. To save her, resistance couple Frits and Jo Hakkens must risk everything, concealing her...Paperback$2900Elsewhere:$3799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The Spy and the Traitor
The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre is a spellbinding Cold War thriller that unravels the true story of Oleg Gordievsky, a KGB double agent who risked everything to aid the British in the battle against Soviet oppression. In meticulously researched detail, Macintyre paints a vivid portrait of espionage, double-crossing, and unparalleled bravery, giving readers a riveting glimpse into...Paperback$2100Elsewhere:$2600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseSuicidal Empathy
The bestselling author of The Parasitic Mind shows why empathy in politics leads to civilizational collapse. What happens when a society elevates victimhood to a virtue and decides that punishment is cruel? You get the disease Dr. Gad Saad calls suicidal empathy. And the West may be terminally infected. In his new book, Suicidal Empathy, Saad unleashes a blistering critique...Paperback$3099Elsewhere:$3799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Betrayal
โTom Bower is the Inspector Morse of investigative biographers, a fluent, phlegmatic storyteller and a master of intricacies.โ Sunday Times The British Crown is in crisis, with constitutional threats at home and abroad. At a landmark moment in royal history, can King Charles overcome the scandals that blight the Royal family? Can the broken bonds between the Houses of Sussex...Paperback$3499Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Man's Search For Meaning
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl is a profound, thought-provoking memoir and psychological exploration that delves into the harrowing experiences of life in Nazi concentration camps, intertwined with the authorโs groundbreaking theories on existential psychology. The book is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, offering a beacon of hope and a roadmap for finding purpose...Paperback$1800Elsewhere:$2100Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
SignedThe Chief and the Empire
The Chief and the Empire uncovers the extraordinary true tale of Te Tai Tokerau rangatira Te Pahi - the first influential Mฤori leader to cross the Tasman - whose curiosity about the Pฤkehฤ world forged alliances, saved lives, and ultimately cost him his own. On a visit to Sydney in 1805, Te Pahi was feted as a celebrity, building close...Paperback$3200Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Discipline
Silence is complicity, but how do we confront the cost of speaking up? Sydney, May 2021. Ashraf is an academic whose career and personal life are in freefall. Hannah is a young journalist struggling to honour the voices of her community. When a Year 12 Al-Bayinnah College student is arrested for protesting a university's ties to an Israeli weapons manufacturer,...Paperback$4000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Shattered Lands
'A sparkling debut by an outstanding young historian' โ PETER FRANKOPAN 'This book is a revelation โฆ both original and important' โ MISHAL HUSAIN A history of modern South Asia told through five partitions that reshaped it. As recently as 1928, a vast swathe of Asia โ India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Nepal, Bhutan, Yemen, Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and...Paperback$3699Elsewhere:$4500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New ReleaseThe World of the Odyssey & Other Greek Myths
This jigsaw brings together Odysseus' famed journey in one epic scene. Each reference from the tale is highlighted and explained in an accompanying fold-out poster with text by an expert author. 1000-PIECE PUZZLE that measures 48.5 x 68 cm (19 x 27 in.) when completed. INCLUDES A FOLD-OUT POSTER with an introduction to the Odyssey and descriptions of all the...Jigsaw$3500Elsewhere:$4499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Women's Prize Winner
The Finest Hotel in Kabul
The story of a hotel. The story of a nation. When the Inter-Continental Kabul opened in 1969, Afghanistan's first luxury hotel symbolised a dream of a modernising country connected to the world. More than fifty years on, the Inter-Continental is still standing. It has endured Soviet occupation, multiple coups, a grievous civil war, a US invasion and the rise, fall...Paperback$3200Elsewhere:$4000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Goliathโs Curse
Goliathโs Curse by Luke Kemp offers a radical retelling of human history through the lens of collapse, delving into what this means for our uncertain future. This narrative spans from the dawn of our species to the urgent existential threats of the twenty-first century and beyond. It's grounded in the latest research and a comprehensive database of more than 440...Paperback$2999Elsewhere:$4000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
New Release
Biological War
There is an invisible weapon among us. By the time you know you are a victim, it has turned you into a killer. A blistering new non-fiction thriller from the Baillie Gifford shortlisted author of Nuclear War (200,000 copies sold). A lab accident, a bio-attack, a global pandemic, and the collapse of human society. In this essential new book, based...Paperback$3299Elsewhere:$4000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
