author
Meyer D. Rothschild
A late-19th-century writer on gemstones, he set out to make the world of precious stones clearer for merchants, craftspeople, and curious readers alike. His best-known handbook blends practical detail with an obvious fascination for the beauty and properties of gems.
1 Audiobook
A Hand-book of Precious Stones
by Meyer D. Rothschild
About the author
Meyer D. Rothschild is known for A Hand-book of Precious Stones, a compact guide first published in 1889–1890 and now preserved in public-domain library collections. In the book’s own opening pages, he explains that his aim was to present accurate, concise information about gemstones for working jewelers, artisans, and amateurs.
Available records suggest he lived from 1858 to 1943. Beyond that, biographical details are relatively scarce in the readily accessible sources, so he is best remembered today through his writing rather than through a widely documented public life.
His handbook endures because it sits at the meeting point of science, trade, and everyday curiosity. Even now, it offers a snapshot of how precious stones were described and understood by practical readers at the end of the 19th century.