Stoned
By Aja Raden
Jewelry, Obsession, and How Desire Shapes the World. Harper Collins, 2015.
Summary of Stoned book by Aja Raden
A fascinating look at the history of not only jewelry but the deeply human fascination it provokes, illuminating the way this often-destructive passion has shaped individuals, societies, and events of epic proportions.
Chapters in Stoned book summary
What do you get from this book? A provocative look at the desire all humans share to possess precious objects
Beautiful objects have a particular hold over us, prompting an intense desire which has the potential to shape human history
The Dutch notoriously bought Manhattan from Native Americans for some beads, yet more was at stake than we realize
Diamond engagement rings only became a “necessary luxury” because a mining cartel—and two brilliant advertisers—created the desire for them
The Spanish Empire was shaped by the hunt for emeralds, a truly rare and magical gem
The conquistadors struck gold in South America, but they needed a way to keep track of the flow of treasure
One ostentatious, astoundingly expensive necklace was tied up in France’s political turmoil and Marie Antoinette’s dark fate
Drama between two royal sisters fed into a war with Spain—all fueled by their obsession over a huge pearl
Fabergé eggs were a symbol of the Russian nobility’s opulence, but the country was poised for violent upheaval
The Soviet Union was partly funded by an American con artist who sold the mythology of the Russian nobility’s tragic fate
Japan’s incredible 20th century economic successes were reflected in one man’s vision of making perfect pearls available to all
Summary of the key insights
Selected critiques in brief
Final word
Unlock all 14 chapters of Stoned — Get full access to this book summary and thousands more on Lobab.
Stoned — Book Summary Snapshot
Who should read Stoned book
- Jewelers and jewelry designers
- lovers of precious stones and fine accessories
- history buffs
- economics students
- anyone interested in our obsession with luxury items
About the author of Stoned
Aja Raden
Aja Raden is a jewelry designer and jeweler who has worked at the exclusive House of Kahn as Head of the Auction Division and designed pieces for fine jewelry company Tacori. Raden also has academic expertise in a range of fields, having studied physics and ancient history at the University of Chicago.
Books similar to Stoned
Related books that explore themes found in Stoned
Richard Thompson Ford
How the Laws of Fashion Made History. Simon & Schuster, 2021.
Ian Davidson
From Enlightenment to Tyranny. Pegasus Books, 2018
Kassia St. Clair
How Fabric Changed History. Liveright, 2019.
Emma Kay
A Dark History of Chocolate. Pen and Sword History, 2021.
Jeffrey E. Garten
The Story of Globalization Through Ten Extraordinary Lives. Harper, 2016.
Topics related to Stoned book
Explore topics that share themes with Stoned across Lobab's library
Categories Stoned book belongs to
Discover other book summaries in the same categories as Stoned
If you liked Stoned, you might also enjoy
Books on different topics that Lobab readers often explore alongside Stoned
Robert Greene
The 48 Laws of Power. Penguin Books, 1998.
Laura Lee
How the Weather Has Changed History. HarperCollins, 2006.
Neil Price
A History of the Vikings. Basic Books, 2020.
Anita Anand
A True Tale of Massacre, Revenge, and India's Quest for Independence. Scribner, 2019.
Toby Wilkinson
The Golden Age of Egyptology. W.W. Norton & Company, 2020.
David Goldblatt
A Global History of the Olympics. W.W. Norton & Company, 2016.
Mark Pendergrast
The History of Coffee and How It Transformed the World. Basic Books, 2019.
Kassia St. Clair
The Secret Lives of Color. Penguin Books, 2017.
Henry Kissinger
Reflections on the Character of Nations and the Course of History. Penguin, 2015.
Can't decide where to start?
With thousands of book summaries across multiple categories and topics, there's always something new to discover. Browse the full library to find your next great read.
Your library
All-you-can-read
Categories
15 categories
Topics
120+ topics
Today's free book summary
Every day, one book summary is completely free to read. Subscribe to unlock the entire library — or just enjoy today's pick on us.
Rejection Proof
Jia Jiang
A fascinating look at rejection from every angle, from understanding and overcoming the fear of rejection to learning how to increase your chances of a yes while becoming perfectly okay with a no.
Library
All-you-can-read
Formats
Text & audio
Free daily
1 book / day
What Lobab readers are saying
Not sure if Lobab book summaries are for you? Here's what our community thinks.
“Lobab is a standout in the world of book summary apps, offering concise, insightful summaries of a wide range of books. Its user-friendly interface and well-crafted summaries allow users to quickly grasp the essence of complex works, making it an invaluable tool for those looking to learn more in less time. Whether for personal growth or professional development, Lobab is a game changer for anyone wanting to expand their knowledge efficiently. Highly recommended!”
Ramogh
Lobab Reader
“Top quality app with plenty of brilliant summaries!”
Benjamin Roche
Lobab Reader
“I found a really great book app that has made reading even more enjoyable ⭐️📚. It is super easy to use, has a lot of books to choose from, gives personalized recommendations, works well with e-readers, has an active community, and is accessible to everyone. I highly recommend it to all book enthusiasts!”
Nedal Ahmed
Lobab Reader