Kunz, George Frederick, 1856-1932

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American mineralogist and gem expert, Vice-President of Tiffany & Co. (1879- ), U.S. Geological Survey special agent (1883-1909), President of the New York Mineralogical Club.

From the description of Papers, 1879-1932. (American Museum of Natural History). WorldCat record id: 18538661

From the description of Papers, 1879-1932 [microform]. (American Museum of Natural History). WorldCat record id: 41124182

George Frederick Kunz, A.M., Ph.D., Sc.D, (1856-1932), was an American mineralogist and gem expert. Beginning his career in Colorado, he worked primarily on the East Coast. During his career, he served as Vice-President of Tiffany & Co. (1879-), U.S. Geological Survey special agent (1883-1904), President of the New York Mineralogical Club, and honorary curator, Department of Precious Stones, American Museum of Natural History, New York City. The mineral kunzite is named after him. He published several books and numerous articles on mineralogy and dozens of reports for the U.S. Geological Survey.

From the guide to the George Frederick Kunz Correspondence, 1885-1904, (University of New Mexico. Center for Southwest Research.)

George Frederick Kunz (1856-1932), a mineralogist and author, was the best known specialist of gems in the United States. He searched for and collected specimens, donating these collections to colleges and other institutions of learning. He was a gem expert for Tiffany & Co. in New York. He wrote several books and articles on gems and minerals.

From the description of George Frederick Kunz, 1886-1905. (Georgia Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 85845139

George Frederick Kunz, A.M., Ph. D., Sc. D, (1856-1932), was an American mineralogist and gem expert. Beginning his career in Colorado, he worked primarily on the East Coast. During his career, he served as Vice-President of Tiffany & Co. (1879- ), U.S. Geological Survey special agent (1883-1904), President of the New York Mineralogical Club, and honorary curator, Department of Precious Stones, American Museum of Natural History, New York City. The mineral kunzite is named after him. He published several books and numerous articles on mineralogy and dozens of reports for the U.S. Geological Survey.

From the description of Correspondence, 1885-1904. (University of New Mexico-Main Campus). WorldCat record id: 46425753

George Frederick Kunz, mineralogist and author, served for many years as a gem expert at Tiffany and Co., the New York jewelers. Kunz wrote numerous books and articles on gems and coins, traveled widely, maintained an active business correspondence with members of the American and international diplomatic corps, and served as an adviser to various governmental agencies. He was a research curator of precious stones at the American Museum of Natural History and founded the American Museum of Peaceful Arts (later the Museum of Science and Industry).

From the description of Papers of George Frederick Kunz, 1837-1958. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 122593608

George Frederick Kunz (1856-1932) was an authority on gems and the author of books and articles on gems, minerals, folklore and antiquities. He was active in campaigns to save and extend the parks in New York City.

From the guide to the George Frederick Kunz collection, 1912, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)

Gemologist and geologist.

From the description of Papers of George Frederick Kunz, 1783-1928. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79449030

Mineralogist, from New York (N.Y.).

From the description of Papers, 1885-1917. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 19865940

Epithet: President of the Joan of Arc Statue Committee New York

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000351.0x000327

Gem expert.

Columbia University A.M., 1898 Hon.

From the description of George Frederick Kunz papers, 1886-1928. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 506124374

George Frederick Kunz (1856-1932) was an authority on gems and the author of books and articles on gems, minerals, folklore and antiquities.

He was active in campaigns to save and extend the parks in New York City.

From the description of George Frederick Kunz collection, 1912. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122626675

George Frederick Kunz (1856-1932) was an American mineralogist and gemologist. He was Vice-President of Tiffany's, member and officer of numerous scientific societies, and author of books and articles on gems.

Kunz was born in New York City on September 29, 1856 and attended Cooper Union schools, though he did not graduate. He continued to educate himself through reading and field work and landed a position with Tiffany & Co., the American jewelry and silverware company, eventually rising to Vice President of the company at the age of only 23. He also led the development of the US mining and mineralogical exhibits at the international expositions in Paris (1889 and 1900), Chicago (1893), Atlanta (1895), and St. Louis (1904).

Kunz wrote numerous books and articles on precious stones, gems and jewelry (the Gemological Institute's recent Kunz bibliography runs to 26 pages), including a series entitled Natal Stones, Sentiments, and Superstitions connected with Precious Stones, printed each year to be given as gifts to customers of Tiffany & Co. Many of Kunz's books are now in the public domain and available online.

Kunz was the founder and president of the Museum of the Peaceful Arts in 1913, a special agent for the US Geological Survey (1883–1909), a research curator at the Museum of Natural History in New York City and assembler of its Morgan-Tiffany gem collection, and an important force behind the establishment of the international carat as a unit of measure for precious gems. He was a member and/or officer of many science-related New York clubs including the Circumnavigators Club, Mineral Club, Academy of Science, Bird and Tree Club, Institute of Mining Engineers, and the American Metric Association. Social or fraternal organizations to which he belonged include the American Scenic and Historic Society for Preservation, New York Society Order of Founders, Patriots of America, and the Empire State Society of Sons of the American Revolution.

Kunz received several honorary degrees, including an MA from Columbia (1898), PhD from the University of Marbury (1903), and D. Sc. from Knox (1907). He was an officer of the Legion of Honor, Knight Order of St. Olaf, The Rising Sun, and an Officer d'Instruction Publique. He also had an honorary membership in the Chambre Syndicale Pierres Precieuses.

In 1879 he married Sophie Henforth, with whom he had two children; after her death in 1912 he married Opal Logan Gibson.

From the guide to the George F. Kunz Papers, 1883-1932, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Museums of the Peaceful Arts. Collection of reports, photographs, and other materials related to the Museums of the Peaceful Arts, 1912-1930. Smithsonian Institution. Libraries
creatorOf George F. Kunz correspondence American Numismatic Society
referencedIn Amoss, Harold Lindsay, 1886-1956. Papers, 1918-1922. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States Commandery of the State of Massachusetts Civil War collection, 1724-1933 (inclusive); 1861-1912 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf Kunz, George Frederick, 1856-1932. [Kunzite : letters, 1902-1906]. U.S. Geological Survey Library, National Center, USGS Reston
creatorOf Kunz, George T. Letters, 1894-1906. Utah Division of State History, Utah Historical Society
referencedIn Harold Lindsay Amoss Papers, 1918-1922 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Ward, Lydia Avery Coonley, 1845-1924. Autographs collected and letters received by Lydia Avery Coonley Ward, 1705, 1785, 1848, 1861-1922 (bulk 1861-1922). University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Kunz, George. Correspondence with secretary, 1912 May. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Kunz, George Frederick, 1856-1932. Papers, 1885-1917. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
referencedIn Thomas Egleston Papers, 1857-1901. Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf George Frederick Kunz collection, 1912. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
creatorOf Kunz, George Frederick, 1856-1932. Papers of George Frederick Kunz, 1837-1958. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Kunz, George Frederick, 1856-1932. George Frederick Kunz papers, 1886-1928. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Ward, Lester Frank, 1841-1913. Correspondence, 1865-1913, "King" to "Marcon." Brown University Archives, John Hay Library
creatorOf Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964. Letter to George F. Kunz. Washington, DC. 1918 Apr 15. University of Iowa Libraries
referencedIn Letters sent to Walter Hines Page from various correspondents, English period, 1876-1937. Houghton Library
creatorOf Kunz, George Frederick, 1856-1932. Plans and photographs of the quarry at Jordansmuhl, Silesia, showing the occurrences of the rocks and where the great mass of nephrite weighing 4,715 lbs. was found by George F. Kunz, April 20, 1899, and the series of rocks collected by George F. Kunz, November 9-13, 1900. U.S. Geological Survey Library, National Center, USGS Reston
creatorOf Kipling, Rudyard, 1865-1936. Autograph letter signed : Bateman's Burwash, Sussex, to George F. Kunz, 1919 Apr. 28. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Kunz, George Frederick, 1856-1932. Letters, 1890, 1891. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Oswald Garrison Villard papers Houghton Library
creatorOf Kunz, George Frederick, 1856-1932. Papers, 1879-1932 [microform]. American Museum of Natural History
creatorOf Kunz, George Frederick, 1856-1932. [Kunzite : newspaper clippings and pamphlets / by George Frederick Kunz ... et al.]. U.S. Geological Survey Library, National Center, USGS Reston
creatorOf Kunz, George Frederick, 1856-1932. [Scrapbook of pictures of cameos, engraved stones and faceted gems]. U.S. Geological Survey Library, National Center, USGS Reston
referencedIn Daniel Chester French letters Archives of American Art
creatorOf Vol. XII (ff. 399). 1923-1929.George Bernard Shaw, author: 'St. Joan': correspondence with G. B. Shaw concerning by George Bernard Shaw: 1923-1929.includes:f. 1 Karl Walter, Secretary of the Horace Plunkett Foundation: Letter to G. B. Shaw of Karl..., 1923-1929 British Library
creatorOf Albert S. Bickmore papers, 1854-1914 (bulk 1865-1903). American Museum of Natural History
creatorOf Kunz, George Frederick, 1856-1932. Correspondence, 1885-1904. University of New Mexico-Main Campus
creatorOf Kunz, George Frederick, 1856-1932. George Frederick Kunz, 1886-1905. Georgia Historical Society
creatorOf George F. Kunz Papers, 1883-1932 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
creatorOf Kunz, George Frederick, 1856-1932. Papers, 1879-1932. American Museum of Natural History
referencedIn Partridge, Edward L. (Edward Lasell), 1853-1930. Papers, 1897-1929. New York State Library
creatorOf George Frederick Kunz collection, 1912 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Kunz, George Frederick, 1856-1932. Correspondence with Edgar Fahs Smith, 1920-1925. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society. Correspondence with Theodore Dreiser, 1930. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Mark Anthony De Wolfe Howe additional papers Houghton Library
creatorOf George Frederick Kunz Correspondence, 1885-1904 The University of New Mexico, University Libraries, Center for SouthwestResearch
creatorOf Kunz, George Frederick, 1856-1932. Papers of George Frederick Kunz, 1783-1928. Library of Congress
creatorOf Huntington, Archer Milton, 1870-1955. Autograph letter signed : New York, to [George] Kunz, President of the American Scenic and Historical Preservation Society (and expert on gems), 1915 May 21. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Nieminen, Susan A.,. George Frederick Kunz : [collection] : 1883-1910 ;. History Colorado
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part I: The Revolution and the Administration, 1669-1958. Houghton Library
creatorOf Widener, Harry Elkins, 1885-1912. Autograph letters signed (2) : to George F. Kunz, 1909 Oct. 11-14. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Roy Chapman Andrews papers, 1987 Accession, 1920-1947 (bulk 1934-1944) American Museum of Natural History
referencedIn Egleston, Thomas, 1832-1900. Thomas Egleston papers, 1857-1929. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn General correspondence files, [ca. 1887]-1966. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith American Museum of Natural History. Dept. of Vertebrate Paleontology. corporateBody
associatedWith American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society. corporateBody
associatedWith Amoss, Harold Lindsay, 1886-1956. person
associatedWith Andrews, Roy Chapman, 1884-1960. person
associatedWith Bickmore, Albert S. (Albert Smith), 1839-1914. person
associatedWith Bird, Edward. person
associatedWith Bixby, Maynard. person
associatedWith Browning, Ira R. person
associatedWith Columbia University. School of Mines. corporateBody
associatedWith Cooke, Robert Grier. person
associatedWith Dearborn, Frederick M. (Frederick Myers), b. 1876 person
associatedWith Egleston, Thomas, 1832-1900. person
associatedWith Fielder, James F. (James Fairman), 1867-1954. person
associatedWith French, Daniel Chester, 1850-1931. person
associatedWith Gaynor, William J., 1849-1913. person
associatedWith Geological Survey (U.S.) corporateBody
associatedWith Hawkes, McDougall. person
associatedWith Hazen, Margaret Hindle. person
associatedWith Hazen, Margaret Hindle. person
associatedWith Hazen, Robert M., 1948- person
associatedWith Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964. person
correspondedWith Howe, M. A. De Wolfe (Mark Antony De Wolfe), 1864-1960 person
associatedWith Huntington, Archer Milton, 1870-1955. person
associatedWith Jones, Charles C. (Charles Colcock), 1831-1893. person
associatedWith Kipling, Rudyard, 1865-1936. person
associatedWith Kummel, Henry Barnard, 1867-1945. person
associatedWith McAdoo, W. G. (William Gibbs), 1863-1941. person
associatedWith Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Commandery of the State of Massachusetts, collector. corporateBody
associatedWith Museums of the Peaceful Arts. corporateBody
associatedWith Nichols, G. H. person
associatedWith O'Keefe, Arthur J. person
associatedWith Page, Walter Hines, 1855-1918 person
associatedWith Partridge, Edward L. (Edward Lasell), 1853-1930. person
associatedWith Sulzer, William, 1863-1941. person
associatedWith Tiffany and Company. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Navy. North Atlantic Fleet. corporateBody
correspondedWith Villard, Oswald Garrison, 1872-1949 person
associatedWith Ward, Lester Frank, 1841-1913. person
associatedWith Ward, Lydia Avery Coonley, 1845-1924. person
associatedWith Widener, Harry Elkins, 1885-1912. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
North Carolina
United States
Georgia--Rome
Minnesota
New York (State)--New York
Russia
Utah
New York (N.Y.)
United States
Georgia--Burke County
United States
North Carolina--Wilkes County
Wisconsin
New York (N.Y.)
New York (N.Y.)
United States
Georgia--Harlem
United States
Georgia
Germany
Hudson River (N.Y. and N.J.)
Georgia--Atlanta
New Mexico
Subject
Bridges
Cameos
Corundum
Diamonds
Garnet
Gems
Gems
Gems
Gold mines and mining
Indians of North America
Indians of North America
Ivories
Jade
Meteorites
Mineral industries
Mineral industries
Mineral industries
Mineralogists
Mineralogists
Mineralogists
Mineralogists
Mineralogy
Minerals
Minerals
Mines and mineral resources
Opals
Portrait medallions
Precious stones
Rubies
Science and medicine
Scientists
Spodumene
Upper class
Water tunnels
Occupation
Collector
Gemologists
Geologists
Mineralogists
Scientists
Activity

Person

Birth 1856-09-29

Death 1932-06-29

Information

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Ark ID: w6rj4k5z

SNAC ID: 17032708