This Special Volume offers a focused introduction to the world of gemstones.
The focus is not on the everyday gemstones we wear, but on precious stones that are
rich in symbolism and particularly expressive, and which are often associated with jewellery, ceremony,
style, rank, dignity, protection, love or inner refinement.

The introduction explains gemstones as natural formations and cultural artefacts. They
are formations created by the Earth, but at the same time they are also expressions of human
interpretation: in crowns, rings, jewellery, rituals, spiritual symbols,
gifts, mementos and special stages of life.

A key part of the product is the eleven gemstone portraits. These cover ruby,
sapphire, emerald, diamond, black diamond, opal, topaz, ametrine, morganite, heliodor
and peridot. Each stone is described in terms of its element, mineral group, colours, themes, uses,
star sign, metal, scent, how to wear it, combinations, effect on a room and essence.

The result is not a dry encyclopaedia of gemstones, but an evocative special volume
on charisma, significance and conscious choice. The ruby is presented as a stone of dignity and heart-centred strength,
sapphire as a bearer of clarity and spiritual maturity, emerald as the concentrated power of the heart and fulfilment, diamond as a symbol
of purity and permanence, opal as the play of light in transformation, and morganite as a refined, mature quality of the heart.

Further chapters explore the connections between gemstones and star signs, elements, metals, jewellery, fabrics
and ritual uses. You will learn how a gemstone has a different effect depending on whether it is set in gold, silver,
rose gold or platinum, whether it is used as a ring, pendant, earring or altar stone
and whether it is combined with silk, linen, velvet or certain colours.

The product is rounded off by a section on gemstones and rituals: usage, context, character,
cleansing, care, charging, occasions, phases, arrangements and a concise gemstone encyclopaedia.
The result is a specialised volume dedicated to that aspect of working with gemstones which is approached in a more refined, meaningful, symbolic and mindful manner.