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George Frederick Kunz Gem Expert for Tiffany
What I found while researching birthstones, metaphysical powers, etc.
Most of what I have been able to find about metaphysical properties of gemstones,
seem to point to the works of George Frederick Kunz, especially "The Curious Lore of Precious Stone".
Then I seem to sort of run into a wall.
George Kunz examining what may be the crystal of kunzite shown here. From the Mineral Collector, Vol. X, No.8, October, 1903, pp. 113–114.
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Kunz was Self-educated and self-made, he accomplished much during his lifetime, mostly during his years as
"Gem Expert for Tiffany & Co."
At age 23, Kunz was appointed vice-president of the famous New York City jeweler, Tiffany & Co., a
position he held for much of his life. He is best remembered for his prolific writings on precious
stones. Perhaps there is no greater testament to his work than the fact that many of his books
have been reprinted and all remain in high demand in the collector market.
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I looked at all of the literature / websites that I could find on
George Kunz. I don't mean to do anything to belittle his work. He did a lot
to promote gemstones
He Helped found the
New York Mineralogical Club
On September 21st, 1886 in the home of Professor Daniel S. Martin at 236 West 4th Street, the New York Mineralogical
Club was formed through the efforts of George F. Kunz, B. B. Chamberlin and Professor Martin.
On April, 1895 George F. Kunz became the club’s first President, an office he held for many years.
George Frederick Kunz
KUNZ, George Frederick (koonts), mineralogist, born in New York city, 29 September, 1856.
He was educated at public schools and at the Cooper institute in New York. His fondness for mineralogy early
asserted itself, and he was led to make expeditions in search of specimens. When a sufficient variety was accumulated,
he would dispose of them as collections to colleges and other institutions of learning. In connection with this work
he became familiar with Generals, and was invited to fill the office of General expert to the firm of Tiffany and Co.,
New York.
At present (1887) he is the best-known specialist on this subject in the United States, and matters of
importance are submitted to his judgment from all parts of the country.
He is a fellow of the American association for
the advancement of science, and a member of the New York academy of science, and other scientific bodies.
Mr. Kunz has contributed papers to scientific journals and to the popular magazines. He is a specialist on
the staff of the "Century Dictionary," and is the author of "Reports on Gems" in the annual volumes of "
Mineral Resources of the United States "(Washington, 1884-'7). He has now in preparation books on " Gems" and "Pearls."
This is from the Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography, edited by James Grant Wilson and John Fiske. 6 vols. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1887-1889 was the "most-quoted" biographical source for 19th and early 20th America.
I have concluded that, the man was working with Tiffany.
Tiffany's whole thing is to sell gemstones. They have 'coined' quite a few gem names.
Kunz was the supreme marketer of gems and minerals of his day.
He fought against having a standardized list of birthstones; I have a feeling this is because he would
change birthstones as he saw fit. He actually came up with a list of Hebrew birthstones, even though the Hebrew calendar is lunar, and sometimes has 13 months in it!
He would make up poems about different gemstones such as:
The
February-born may find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If she an amethyst will wear.
He wrote something like one hundred books. However, look at the titles of his books of that I fould on Amazon.com.
I wonder how much of the new age crystal healing stuff can be attributed to Kuntz?
Links to article about Kunz
- The reminiscences of George Frederick Kunz , arguably the greatest gemologist the world has ever seen.
Reprinted from the Saturday Evening Post, December 10, 1927, pp. 22–23, 172–174, 176
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