Arab Roots of Gemology Ahmad ibn Yusuf Al Tifaschi's Best Thoughts on the Best of Stones

Samar Najm Abul Huda's translation of Ahmad ibn Yusuf al Tifaschi's study of gems. Born in 1184, Al Tifaschi first learned about gems from his father, and augmented his knowledge through readings of Aristotle, Theophrastus, and Pliny, as well as through extensive travels to mines and trading centers. In 1253, he wrote what later became known as the most methodical and complete work on precious stones. Gemologists of today are still astounded by the advanced observations that Al Tifaschi made in this work.

Samar Najm Abul Huda was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, where she obtained a B.A. degree in Political Science from the Lebanese American University in 1971. She studied gemology while living in Athens, Greece Mrs. Abul Huda has now returned to Lebanon where she lives with her husband and two daughters