The history of jewels, and of the principal riches of the East and West,

'There is nothing more admirable in this lower World then Precious Stones, seeing they are the Starres of the Earth, and shine in competition with those of the Firmament' (Preface). A rare and important early work that provides some of the first reliable information on the international jewellery trade, and on a number of large and famous diamonds which have survived to this day. With information on Peru, the West Indies and America.

Referred to as an 'adventurer in literature' Samuel Chappuzeau (1625-1701) is perhaps best-known for his work on French theatre of the 17th century Théâtre François (Lyon 1674). He was a prolific author, particularly after his move from his native Paris to Geneva in 1662, where he worked with the publisher Widerholt. In this gem of a book he describes the wealth of the East 'The text is in two parts, the first, of six chapters, describes gemstones beginning diamond, then those of colour, pearls, coral, amber, yellow stones, the metals, ambergris, bezoar, indigo and other 'rich' productions of the East and West Indies, and including salts. The second part describes the places which are referred to in the first part, from Abyssinia to Visapur' (Sinkankas).