Exploring Cevher-naame: Publications and Studies on Gemology in the First Century of the Republic of Turkiye

Abstract

Since ancient times, humanity has been fascinated by precious stones, referred to as ore, due to their diverse characteristics. These ores, utilized for various purposes across different climates and cultures, are categorized as precious, semiprecious, or worthless based on their properties. They hold significance in numerous cultures and epochs, serving as symbols of beauty, wealth, and power. Additionally, they are esteemed for their perceived healing properties. Cevher-names , comprehensive texts delving into the science of gemstones, cover a wide array of topics including the physical attributes of precious stones, their geographical origins, applications, benefits, and drawbacks. These texts have enjoyed popularity across different historical periods and cultures. This article discusses Turkish publications and translations of copyrighted cevher-names up to the present day. In the section titled On Cevher-name Publications in the Republican Era, it explores individual cevher-names and related studies from the Republican era, assessing the handling of the cevher-name genre in contemporary research by comparing and contrasting various aspects of existing studies. Furthermore, thematic studies examining the discovery, processing, and utilization of ores in realms such as medicine, literature, folklore, and historical contexts are scrutinized under the section titled Thematic Studies on Ore and Cevher-names . The conclusion and evaluation sections appraise current research endeavors, presenting an overview of the distribution of mentioned cevher-names and associated studies according to subject matter, and offer suggestions for future investigations in the field of cevher- names .