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Gems

 

Books about gems

Dictionary of Gems and Gemology
The rapid growth of gemological sciences and mineralogy requires a comprehensive dictionary for gemologists, mineralogists, geologists, jewel dealers, industry, and hobbyists. The second edition of this dictionary contains about 25,000 entries – about 9,000 more than the first edition. The comprehensive definitions are now completed by more than 1,500 charts, diagrams and figures. The author offers a one-stop reference to any matter dealing with gems and gemology.
Gem Identification Made Easy
New, revised, expanded edition of the first and only book of its kind. Covers the latest gems, synthetics, treatments, and instruments. Easy to use. Practical. Non-technical. Shows how to identify diamonds, colored gemstones, and pearls, and separate them from fakes and look-alikes. Explains what instruments are needed, how to use them, where to get them, and what should be seen for each gemstone.No science background necessary.Faster than you can imagine, anyone can learn to identify most of the gems and imitations found in the marketplace. This practical volume is the key to avoiding costly mistakes and recognizing profitable opportunities. Essential reading for collectors, investors, jewelry lovers, hobbyists, jewelers, antique dealers, and gemology students.
Gemstones of the World
Gemstones of the World is truly the single volume that every hobbyist, jeweler, jewelry maker, and rockhound needs: it’s the cornerstone of the field. And this updated edition contains a host of new findings on “Gemstones for Collectors,” additional gems in the “Table of Constants,” and the “double fraction” figures that experts have long wanted—a very special new feature.
All the gemstones are treated in their many variations: more than 1,500 full-color photos showcase each precious and semiprecious stone in both its rough, natural, and its polished and cut renditions. Each entry offers complete information on the gemstone’s formation, structure, physical properties, and characteristics, along with the best methods of working, cutting, and polishing it. There are even full treatments of lesser-known gems, from andalusite to vesuvian, and a special section is devoted to rocks as precious stones, including alabaster, onyx, obsidian, and fossils. Organic gem materials are also covered, such as coral, ivory, amber, and pearl. Charts and tables help collectors identify unknown gemstones and check for genuineness.
The Jeweler's Directory of Gemstones

For goldsmiths, collectors, jewelry-makers, investors, retailers and consumers. The trade of gemstones is a highly specialized and often secretive business. Using The Jeweler's Directory of Gemstones, written by an expert gemstone dealer and designer, will provide any consumer with the insider knowledge needed to make accurate judgments of gemstones, to recognize low- and high-quality stones, and to make a good buy rather than a bad one.

Gemstones (Smithsonian Handbooks)
Secrets of the Gem Trade: The Connoisseur's Guide to Precious Gemstones
Elsevier's Dictionary of Jewellery and Watchmaking
This dictionary lists words and expressions used in the fields of jewellery, gemmology, gold- and silver-smithing, watchmaking and related subjects. An interesting feature of the dictionary is the inclusion of many incorrect or illegal terms which are still in use in some countries and which are often incorrectly mentioned in the gem literature. These misnomers are indicated as such and are cross-referenced to the correct term or expression as are the many obsolete and `fancy' names, regionalisms, and trade and trademarked names for synthetic stones and artificial products. This is particularly useful for the user - especially the reader who is working in a language other than his own - as he has an immediate guide to the proper usage of terms. In addition he will have a reference to correct spelling, synonyms and immediate translation into the other languages in the glossary.
Gemmology
This second edition 'Gemmology' has been expanded and updated throughout by the well known writer and editor of Butterworth-Heinemann's gemmology series, Peter Read. This is a much needed update of a classic text and new syllabus information and sample examination theory papers for the Gemmological Association's Preliminary and Diploma courses are included. The additions also incorporate more recent developments, such as the introduction of synthetic moissanite and the De Beer's instruments for distinguishing between natural and synthetic diamonds.
Gems
Since it was first published in 1962 'Gems' has become universally recognised as the most comprehensive and authoritative treatise on gem materials in the English language. This sixth edition, has been revised for relevance to today's practice and includes an expanded encyclopedic section.
'Gems' caters for the professional jeweller and student gemmologist, collector of gems and those with an insatiable interest in precious stones. Descriptive account of all gem materials used as ornament, along with their synthetic counterparts. Contributing authors, at the top of the field, bring the latest developments to the reader. The only encyclopedic reference for gemstones
Gems and Jewels
Gems and jewels have, since the beginnings of civilization, been prized as tokens of love, as symbols of wealth and social status, or as objects endowed with magical or religious significance. In Gems and Jewels, internationally renowned gem expert and dealer Benjamin Zucker reveals much of the history and mystique surrounding these precious objects.
Divided into chapters devoted to rubies, sapphires, emeralds, white diamonds and colored diamonds, pearls, amber, lapis lazuli, jade, turquoise, opals, and garnets, Gems and Jewels features compelling descriptions and insights into the chemical composition of these stones, the methods and styles of cutting them in different periods, discussions of outstanding specimen stones-such as the Tiffany diamond-and comparisons of key differences in shades of color within one type of gemstone-as in the case of opals from Australia and Mexico, and sapphires from Kashmir and Ceylon.
A gorgeous illustrated book for lovers of gems and jewels and an important volume for professionals, this unique volume also provides the vital clues that enable the expert eye to distinguish between natural and synthetic stones, and between natural and cultured pearls, and also supplies guidelines on methods of grading and on relative market values.
Identification of Gemstones
A comprehensive reference to gemological materials and their identification, this text deals with each gem species outlining all the features a gem tester has to know before making an evaluation. The experienced author team describes each species from the point of view of "natural or synthetic". They give advice over confusion with similar looking species and whether or not locality information is needed for sales. The book also addresses the issue of certification of non-diamond materials and the methods of carrying this out. End of chapter summaries and recommended reading, along with a companion web site, provide all the support that the student and professional needs. The companion website provides regular updates, detailed information on the operation of gem testing instruments, and the opportunity to contact the authors with comments and queries.