Stoned: Jewelry, Obsession, and How Desire Shapes the World

really enjoyed reading this book! It has history, science, finance, anthropology, psychology, history....and its so easy to read at the same time. Fascinating writer. I bought another title from the same writer "the truth about lies" will review that one later.

This book will appeal to anyone who likes history and the behind the scenes history, too. I like the point made that value is perception. Though I'm not sure that the argument extends to pearls. The whole story of Mikimoto was entertaining. His goal was to make pearls available to every woman. But last time I checked pearls (and today they are all cultured) have retained their value, and I agree with the author, I most likely have never seen a real pearl. That said I used to know Ed Henderson, Head of Minerology at the Smithsonian (Natural History Museum). I had the priviledge few have experienced in seeing some of the jewels he was assigned to collect. There are drawers and drawers of donations from those in power.. like a exquisite emerald and diamond bracelet donated by a Tzar, and of course the more recognizable Hope Diamond. . I remember he pulled out a crown made of tourquoise. Ed put it on my head... it was heavy. It was commissioned by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. I mention her because she is a prominent historical figure in the story of Marie Antoinette. My interest waned a little when I got to the story of watches, but over all it was entertaining and well researched. A fun read.

At first, I didn't like way this book is written in very casual and conversational tone. However, once I got used the language, I was absorbed in the stories and historical perspectives on jewels and the role they have played in human history. There are wonderful summaries of historical events such as The Affair of the Necklace (Marie Antoinette) and Elizabeth I's battle with the Spanish Armada, told in an easy-to-grasp manner and with a great deal of humor. This book is a great read for someone with casual interest and is charming and fun enough to read poolside or at the beach.

Amazingly researched, well written, all around gem (no pun intended....) If you have any interest at all in history, economics, geology, politics, royalty, or just jewelry in and of itself you will love this book. It touches everything from the Romanov Fabergé eggs to the colonization of the New World to the diamond ring PR machine. It's incredibly well researched yet presents the information in a brief enough manner that you can relate to the stories and connect the dots, but you'll find yourself jotting down things from the footnotes to google later just because all the tidbits are so interesting! I highly recommend giving this book a try.

It's really not fair to gauge the content of this book versus the message of this book, in as much as there may not be an intended message. But this I will say: the subjects are interesting, if not overdone a bit in terms of explanation, but perhaps that's important in this day and age. To me, though, the overriding message is that we're all a bunch of self-indulgent baboons - and I mean that after reading studies - that have little or no regard for each other unless we can either emulate a "more important" troop member or eradicate that same troop member through dishonesty, hysteria, torture or murder. Is that our heritage?? Partially. Is it helpful?? No. It really isn't. I don't mind the reality of history, but I DO really mind the cherry picking. Along with all the human weakness, something morally good in terms of strength had to have come of it, or most of us wouldn't be here. We may descend from criminality and a vicious, ignorant, selfish lack of restraint, but we also descend from something more. I wish the book had expanded just a little to encompass the people who ignored the egomaniacal, materialistic trend of their times, and thus, give us a more well-rounded account of an oft conflicting human nature. Aside from that , the author attempts to modernize by virtue of economic comparison, the "then" versus the "now" even though admitting early on that's it's not comparable. Regardless, the author makes a valiant attempt to put history in a modern, even trendy, vernacular. It's risky but it pays off. If only the message wasn't so bleak, and it shouldn't be. There were plenty of decent, selfless heroes that propelled us into our just as much giving nature as our primal nature. And those folks were around at the time - intellectual and moral "pushbacks" so to speak - so I wish the author had at least mentioned them!!

An amazing read. My grandpa was a geologist, and I learned a love of rocks and minerals from him. This book combines my like of rocks and my interests in history and politics. Ms. Raden has an amazing writing style, which I personally especially appreciate. You can read the main text, and get history, education, insight.. and you can read her footnotes, and get her personal editorials.. I used to write this way in college!! I LOVE it. It keeps it informational while maintaining a sense of personality on the part of the author. If you're in any way interested in: gemstones, jewelry, history, relational economics, and/or interesting anecdotes, I really cannot recommend this book enough. I first read it thru my library (um, 4 renewals?), and then couldn't help myself. I bough it!!

Fantastic writing and fascinating approach on the subject of jewels, luxury and desire. Raden writes in such a way that you can be laughing and learning at the same time! It’s a great book for anyone working in Jewellery retail and has helped me understand the history of why people desire to acquire luxury, and equally loading you with lots of useful history and stories to sell. Great as an interest and education read - I’ve since passed this book on to a friend and need to get another copy! Looking forward to future publications from this author.

I have always loved history… but this was a completely new way of looking at it - certainly changed the way we look at the world

I'm only on the second part (having a pile of new books that all need reading) but I've had more than one giggle reading Aja's book. This lady writes it like it is and I love the way she writes. I don't know all that much about jewels (not having a whole lot of them!!!!) and aside from giving me a laugh I'm also learning. I would recommend this book to anyone who a) likes history b) likes smile and a giggle and c)just likes a damn good read!

It took me a while to finish it, but the information in this book is so incredible and invaluable. I learned so much about jewels, their history, where they came from nd why they are perceived as a certain way. I didn’t know that there was so much about jewels to know. I wish I knew it sooner. Absolutely recommend it!

Exploring the history from a different point of view. I loved every single line of this book, and fell in love with the Watches/Time part.