A fascinating book about human passions, jewelry and the thirst for possession. World history through the eyes of a jewelry historian. Written in easy, engaging language, the book grabs you from the first pages, like a real detective story. The author goes through the pages of world history, offering his own unexpected view of events. The discovery of America, the rise and fall of the Spanish Empire, the Inquisition, the beginning of the French Revolution, the rivalry between Elizabeth I and Mary Tudor - the reader will be surprised to learn about the significance of jewelry in the destinies of rulers and entire continents.