Arab roots of gemology : Ahmad ibn Yusuf al Tifaschi's Best thoughts on the best of stones / translated and with commentary by Samar Najm Abul Huda.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Tīfāshī, Aḥmad ibn Yūsuf, -1253 or 1254.

Standardized Title:

Azhār al-afkār fī jawāhir al-aḥjār. English

Language:

Arabic

English

Subjects (All):

Precious stones--Early works to 1800.

Precious stones.

Gem cutting--Arab countries--Early works to 1800.

Gem cutting.

Arab countries.

Physical Description:

xix, 271 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Lanham, Md. : Scarecrow Press, 1998.

Language Note:

Text also in Arabic

Summary:

Samar Najm Abul Huda's translation of Ahmad ibn Yusuf al Tifaschi's study of gems. Born in 1184, Al Tifaschi first learned about gems from his father, and augmented his knowledge through readings of Aristotle, Theophrastus, and Pliny, as well as through extensive travels to mines and trading centers. In 1253, he wrote what later became known as the most 'methodical and complete' work on precious stones. Gemologists of today are still astounded by the advanced observations that Al Tifaschi made in this work.

Contents:

Part I General 1

Well-Known Gemstones in the Thirteenth Century 6

The World Where al Tifaschi Lived 8

Ahmad ibn Yusuf al Tifaschi 9

2. Gemological Terminology Used by Ahmad al Tifaschi in the Thirteenth Century 15

Hardness of Gemstones 18

Gemstones Not Mentioned by al Tifaschi 22

3. Weights and Measures Used in the Thirteenth Century Numismatics of the Thirteenth Century 26

Part II Azhar al Afkar fi Djawahir al Ahdjar 29

Different Versions of al Tifaschi's Manuscript 31

Facsimile of Manuscript 36

English Translation 80

Part III Individual Gemstones 173

4. Pearl (Djawhar) 175

5. Ruby, Sapphire, and the Other Corundum Varieties (Yaqut, Yaqut asmandjuni, and Yawaqeet ukhra) 182

6. Emerald (Zumurrud) 192

7. Peridot (Zabardjad) 197

8. Spinel (Balakhsh) 199

9. Garnet (Banafsh, also called Mazendj or almandine garnet) 201

10. Tourmaline (Badjadi, also called Bijadi, Bazadi, Bizadi) 204

11. Diamond (Almas or Mas) 207

12. Moonstone Cat's Eye ('Ain al Hirr) 213

13. Bezoar (Bazahr) 215

14. Turquoise (Fairuzadj) 219

15. Cornelian (Carnelian) ('Aqiq) 222

16. Agate (Djaz') 224

17. Magnetite (Maghnatis) 226

18. Emery (Common Corundum) (Sunbazadj) 227

19. Malachite (Dahnadj) 229

20. Lapis Lazuli (Lazuward or Lazward) 230

21. Coral (Mardjan) 233

22. Jet (Sabadj) 236

23. Amethyst (Djimashtt) 237

24. Hematite (Khumahan) 239

25. Jade (Nephrite) (Yashm) 240

26. Jasper (Yassb) 242

27. Rock Crystal (Billawr or Ballur) 243

28. Talc (Talq) 245

Part IV Analysis of Gemology in al Tifaschi 247

29. Fashioning, Grinding, and Polishing of Gemstones 249

30. Imitation and Synthesis of Gemstones 252.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 255-259) and index.

ISBN:

0810832941

OCLC:

36461746