Readers will be mesmerized by this fascinating text about glittering, green emeralds. The book unlocks the mystery of how emeralds form, and sheds light on the mining and refining processes, the gem's properties, and its main uses. Dazzling photographs of the gleaming gemstones will enthuse readers. This intriguing take on curricular subject matter is the perfect supplement to elementary life science education.

Among the magnificent gems and jewels left behind by the great Islamic empires, emeralds stand out for their size and prominence. For the Mughals, Ottomans, and Safavids green was—as it remains for all Muslims—the color of Paradise, reserved for the Prophet Muhammad and his descendants. Tapping a wide range of sources, Kris Lane traces the complex web of global trading networks that funneled emeralds from backland South America to populous Asian capitals between the sixteenth and the eighteenth centuries. Lane reveals the bloody conquest wars and forced labor regimes that accompanied their production. It is a story of trade, but also of transformations—how members of profoundly different societies at opposite ends of the globe assigned value to a few thousand pounds of imperfectly shiny green rocks.

Due to their striking green color, emeralds are highly prized as a beautiful addition to all kinds of jewelry. They have been used for thousands of years, especially by the ancient Egyptians and Incas. Over time, technology has changed the way these gems are extracted from the earth and shaped into glittering jewels. Through accessible text and enlightening fact boxes, readers discover the process behind the creation of valuable pieces of emerald jewelry. Full-color photographs display the dazzling beauty of emeralds.

This is the story of one man's endeavor to discover precious gems and to lead a life filled with loyal friends and extraordinary adventures. He finds it all in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan but not without risking his life. In this book Gary W. Bowersox spins his tales of thirty two years of discovery both introspective and worldwide. Along the way he encounters danger and intrigue as he builds lasting friendships. He has traded gems and stories with Afghan miners, ethnic peoples, freedom fighters, government officials, scientist, and on a few occasions, international spies.

Twenty years of work went into the writing of this: the first book to cover the history of mines and mining in North and South America. The text is enlivened by sketches of many miners the author got to know over the decades.