Precious by Helen Molesworth is a sparkling history of gemstones – from royal jewels to the brutal mining trade
In fanciful games of pirates and treasure hunters, the imaginary booty is often composed of a parent’s necklaces and rings.
- In fanciful games of pirates and treasure hunters, the imaginary booty is often composed of a parent’s necklaces and rings.
- She never reached her precious treasure, as the wall tumbled on top of her, resulting in her first broken bone.
- But Molesworth was not deterred and, as Precious goes on to recount, this was only the first of many hazardous and exhilarating encounters with gems.
- Although, as Molesworth begrudgingly recalls, she was not allowed to try on the princess’s tiara from her infamous bath portrait.
- Luckily, Taylor retrieved the pearl unscathed, and it went on to sell at auction for $11.8 million (£9.3m) in 2011.
- It is the stories which these gems carry with them, as well as the stones themselves, which are precious.