DUTENS, Des Pierres précieuses et des Pierres fines, 1776

First edition.
In the first part Dutens explains his system of classification whereby the finest and most durable of gemstones are dubbed "oriental" while those of lesser quality and hardness receive the title of "occidental," thus perpetuating in a highly popular and widely distributed work these unfortunate and misleading terms that persisted in use well into the last century. Some generalities on gemstones also appear here as curious lore, origin of gemstones, and other topics, followed by separate chapters on the major gemstones beginning with diamond. The latter chapter records recent experiments in France and elsewhere on the combustibility of diamond, one such experiment he personally observed. The second part describes lesser gemstones, mainly massive types, used mostly in cabochons or in the manufacture of small to large ornamental articles or decorations.