Paperback, 384 pages
List: $14.00 -- Discount Price: $11.20 -- You Save: 20%!
Published by Simon & Schuster (Paper)
Publication date: March 1, 1986
Dimensions (in inches): 7.48 x 4.63 x .92
ISBN: 0671604309
Availability: This item usually shipped within 2-3 days.
OWL Services Review:
This book is a modern classic in the field. It a must for any collector or buyer of gemstones. If you buy only one book on gemstones this should be that one book. This is offered here at a 10% discount.
This guide first starts with a discussion of the terms that make each gemstone unique. They discuss hardness, refractive index, specific gravity, and other terms in a manner that everyone can grasp. Some of this discussion may be a little difficult at first, but you can come back to this section as needed for this information.
The second and largest section of the book is a discussion of every major type of gemstone. These are arranged in order of hardness so Diamond comes first followed by Corundum (rubies and the various colors of sapphires), Chrysoberyl, Beryl (aquamarines and emeralds), etc.
For each gemstone there is a complete discussion that includes chemical composition, appearance, colors, physical properties, occurance, value, and simulants and synthetics. The discussions of appearance and physical properties are excellent. The discussion of value must be taken in the light it was intended. When they saw that a value of a gemstone is low, they are meaning low compared to the most valuable gemstones like diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. It might have been better if they had a scale for the valuation of what they call "seconday gems" relative to each other. This discussion is also a little dated because favored gemstones change with time.
This book really shines in the discussion of simulants and synthetics. The major materials that have been used to simulate the gemstone are discussed. Also discussed is if the gemstone is produced synthetically. Materials that are used to enhance the appearance and value of the gemstone are discussed in detail. This is a section on self-protection for the buyer.
After a discussion of the natural "mineral" gemstones, there is a similar discussion of "organic" gemstones. These include amber, pearls, coral, and ivory.
Following the discussion of gemstones, comes a discussion of what are called "synthetic and artificial products". A detailed discussion is given on synthetic gemstones and those used to simulate natural gemstones (including all of the diamond simulants). This section will help give the user protection from buying a manmade gemstone instead of a natural gemstone. Remember that the term "lab created" is a nicer way of saying "manmade" or "synthetic".
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