Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Nicols, Thomas

by Thompson Cooper

NICOLS, THOMAS (fl. 1659), writer on gems, was a native of Cambridge, being son of John Nicols, M.D., who practised as a physician in that town. He studied for some time at Jesus College, Cambridge. He wrote a curious work on precious stones, which was thrice published in his lifetime, each time with a different title, viz.—

1. ‘A Lapidary, or the History of Pretious Stones, with Cautions for the undeceiving of all those that deal with Pretious Stones. By Thomas Nicols, sometimes of Jesus-Colledge in Cambridge. Cambridge: printed by Thomas Buck, printer to the universitie of Cambridge, 1652.’
2. ‘Arcula Gemmea: a Cabinet of Jewels. Discovering the nature, vertue, value of pretious stones, with infallible rules to escape the deceit of all such as are adulterate and counterfeit. By Thomas Nicols, sometimes of Jesus-Colledge in Cambridge. London: printed for Nath. Brooke … 1653.’
3. ‘Gemmarius Fidelius, or the Faithful Lapidary, experimentally describing the richest treasures of nature in an historical narration of the several natures, vertues, and qualities of all pretious stones. With an accurate discovery of such as are adulterate and counterfeit. By J. N. of J. C. in Cambridge. London, printed for Henry Marsh … 1659.’

[Cooper's Annals of Cambridge, iii. 475; Gent. Mag. 1842, ii. 430, 594.]

T. C.