Naldi, Pio | Delle Gemme; a practical jeweller’s manual in two parts

Naldi, Pio

Delle gemme e delle regole per valutarle. Operetta ad uso dei giojellieri principianti. Bologna: Stamperia di San Tommaso, 1791

4to (210 x 148 mm). Engraved title vignette, 26 engraved full-page text illustrations; light foxing, mainly marginal. Quarter calf over marbled boards; spine rubbed, corners bumped.

First edition. A practical jeweller’s manual in two parts: the first, cast as a dialogue, sets out the essentials of grading, pricing, cutting, colour, and purity, with extended treatment of diamonds, pearls, and the principal gemstones (rubies, opals, sapphires, emeralds, topazes, and others). The second surveys twenty-six notable stones, each illustrated, and concludes with accounts of the crown jewels of France and Persia.

"This interesting and worthy text is divided into two distinct and actually unrelated parts, the first being a course of instruction for apprentice jewelers, and the second, descriptions of large and famous gems... All gems are identified in the text, their weights given, and shown in natural size in the engraving. A rare work" (Sinkankas).

REFERENCES

Sinkankas 4689