Welcome to Litsy!

This is the story of the history of gemstones. Everything from Faberge eggs, to Mikimoto‘s patented pearl culturing process, to how Taylor‘s diamond and the Hope diamond had roots with Marie Antoinette. There are also stories about Elizabeth I, the Spanish thirst for New World emeralds, and the invention of modern wristwatches, among other tales. Interesting stuff! #audiobook

#pop21 #rockgemormineralintitle

Finally getting to this #audible title I‘ve had in my queue for years for a #pop21 prompt. I‘m enjoying the history of gemstones more than I thought I would.

I‘ve put Shuggie aside for a couple of days. It‘s a lot to handle!

Who am I missing in the tag??

I really liked part 1 the best - it talked about the history of gems and their values - and how/why they got that way. Part 2 and 3 are more history of the world related to gems - emeralds, pearls, etc. It was also interesting but less so for me. #readwomen #audiobook

A lot of this book was rehashed from Jewels a secret history, but the part about watches was new and very interesting and while a lot of her stuff on Russia and Faberge was taken right out of another book, the extra bits of Russian history were fun to read. As was all the extra stuff on pearls and their ties to the modernization of Japan. A good book, easy to read, but the authors constant need to try to be funny was kind of irritating. 3.5/5

Happy to share Stoned for #recommendsday - a genuinely funny, interested, and fascinating look at why we are fascinated ourselves with jewelry! #history #historian #style

No shit Marie and Louis weren't ready... Stoned is thoroughly entertaining #noshit #ineptroyals #history

"Gemstones are, in fact, just colorful gravel." My journey to educate myself on all things style related is pretty profound #style #fashion

Jewelry is #fashion, right? 😉Microhistories are so much fun. #readingresolutions @Jess7

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#ssgpthisorthat
@miralunasbooknook

Really though...I have not gotten much reading done today.

Trying to squeak in some reading today, but Evie isn't really allowing it.

I know Zero about Russian history - I should really remedy that. Trying to come to terms with reading slowly this week - it's probably going to be par for the course until this PhD is done - oh well. I'll live vicariously through y'all's posts until then 😜

Reading slowly this week, and enjoying the snarky yet informative Stoned. This section on Good Queen Bess and her thing for pearls is particularly fun as I am reminded of what a badass she was in so many ways.

Meet Cricket, part-Pekingese super-mutt. She also answers to "Critter". Note the snaggletooth, which is my favorite of her features. We just got back from a walk while listening to Stoned on audio. Currently enjoying the bit on shell beads, which incidentally are central to my dissertation research.

Glad to know my pathetic lack of willpower isn't my fault 😂

Having a bit of a magpie moment, but since real baubles aren't in the budget right now, I thought I'd read about them instead.