The Secret Lives of Stones

Fascinating stories of gemstones, rocks and minerals

Author: Hettie Judah and Jennifer N.R. Smith

Hardcover

Unearth the secret lives of stones in this dazzling cabinet of curiosities exploring the fascinating stories of 25 spectacular rocks and gems.

Pre order release date
29th September 2025

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Pre order release date
29th September 2025

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Hardcover

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Summary

Unearth the secret lives of stones in this dazzling cabinet of curiosities exploring the fascinating stories of 25 spectacular rocks and gems.

Description

Unearth the secret lives of stones in this dazzling cabinet of curiosities exploring the fascinating stories of 25 spectacular rocks and gems.

Delve into a world of gemstones, rocks and minerals to discover the golden amber that once dripped as liquid resin in prehistoric forests, capturing ancient creatures for eternity. Find out how deep-blue lapis lazuli has been prized for thousands of years and used to make a rare paint pigment by artists during the Renaissance and discover the amazing magnetic properties of lodestone and how this helped Chinese sailors navigate the oceans over 2,000 years ago.

Covering geology, history, myth and folklore, renowned art-critic Hettie Judah brings the stories of stones to life, with beautiful illustrations by award-winning artist Jennifer N R Smith. All stones have a story to tell - - stories that can teach us about the history of the planet and our own human past.

About the Author

Hettie Judah is a regular contributor to The Guardian, Apollo, Frieze and The Times Literary Supplement. She is the curator of the 2024-25 Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition Acts of Creation: On Art and Motherhood. In 2021, Hettie worked with a group of artists to draw up the manifesto How Not to Exclude Artist Parents, now available in 15 languages. She regularly talks about art and with artists for museum and gallery events, and has been a visiting lecturer for Goldsmiths University, London and Dauphine University, Paris.