Stoned: Jewelry, Obsession, and How Desire Shapes the World

was so taken aback by how jewellery was used a currency in new and old world. How it shaped the way we see the human. How it jewellery was perceived by early human, religion, european colonizers.Aja wrote about Diamond, Emerald, Pearl and sea shells and intriguing history behind each one of them. And You can see why Author is rightly diatainee towards colonizers and catholic Church.It was such a page turner. I am so glad that I got to read it.

I have always loved history… but this was a completely new way of looking at it - certainly changed the way we look at the world

Great journey into the world of jewellery and watches from the time it started and how it impacted the mankind .

Fantastic writing and fascinating approach on the subject of jewels, luxury and desire. Raden writes in such a way that you can be laughing and learning at the same time! It’s a great book for anyone working in Jewellery retail and has helped me understand the history of why people desire to acquire luxury, and equally loading you with lots of useful history and stories to sell. Great as an interest and education read - I’ve since passed this book on to a friend and need to get another copy! Looking forward to future publications from this author.

I'm only on the second part (having a pile of new books that all need reading) but I've had more than one giggle reading Aja's book. This lady writes it like it is and I love the way she writes. I don't know all that much about jewels (not having a whole lot of them!!!!) and aside from giving me a laugh I'm also learning. I would recommend this book to anyone who a) likes history b) likes smile and a giggle and c)just likes a damn good read!

An absolute Gem of a bookI loved this book.What type of book is it though?Is it a Yuval Noah Harari big picture look at humanity? Is it a Stacy Schiff event-based push through history? Or is it a subtly irreverent Mary Roach-type non-fiction book?It's a little bit of all of these. I came in expecting a Harari-esque high-level overview of humanity and its conception of value, and though Aja Raden provides that - she definitely lapses into pure history.Emeralds bring her into being able to show the fight between Spain and England. Faberge Eggs allow her to tell the tale of early 20th-century Russia.De Beers? Haha - well that's its own chapter.But though this book employs many different styles - like diamonds actually are - there is plenty to go around.She begins with the New World, with the Dutch trading New York for beads, and then trading it again for a small rock in the middle of the ocean that was the only one that could make Nutmeg at the time.She talks about Tulips, and then Marie Antoinette and a fight over a necklace. Antoinette is hapless but harmless, and the French Revolution decided to value her as the enemy.She talks about a fight over jewelry and high Elizabeth and Spain shaped the world because of it.She talks about Japan and Mikimoto making pearls - and how to manufacture an industry and a demand both.In any case - I recommend this one. It meanders in style - but that can be a good thing. And watch out for the footnotes - some are citations, but wow - some are insightful, and some are hilarious.

I didn’t realise how much I’d enjoy this book until I was a few pages in. It’s insightful, well-written and definitely un-put-downable. I can’t wait to try the author’s next book!

Exploring the history from a different point of view. I loved every single line of this book, and fell in love with the Watches/Time part.