This unique collection of quotations offers a fascinating glimpse into the cultural history of precious stones, including rubies, diamonds, and pearls. Compiled by the eminent naturalist H.L.S. Lear, the book includes a wide range of sayings, proverbs, and verses from across the centuries, all focused on the beauty, symbolism, and power of these miraculous gems. Whether you are a lover of natural history, a student of literature, or simply someone fascinated by the hidden meanings of language, this book is sure to delight and inspire you. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.