Colored Gemstones: The Antoinette Matlins Buying Guide [Paperback]

"The information provided in this book is easy to understand and enjoyable to read. Before buying your next gemstone, buy this book, then shop with confidence!" - Tundraco's Diamonds, Gemstones, Jewelry, March 2004.

Purchasing coloured gemstones can be a magical experience, filled with excitement and anticipation. But lack of information, error, or misrepresentation can make buying gemstones confusing, intimidating, overwhelming, and costly. Lack of information, error, or misrepresentation can make the thrill of buying a gem or piece of jewellery confusing, intimidating, overwhelming, and costly. Buyers need a source of expert guidance. To help you to avoid the pitfalls and keep the magic, Antoinette Matlins, an internationally respected expert on buying gems, puts her insider knowledge to work for you in this easy-to-read, easy-to-use guide. Practical, comprehensive, and easy to understand, this guide offers all the in-depth information you need in order to know what to look for and what to look out for, including: What qualifies as a 'gemstone'?; How to evaluate colour -- and its impact on price; Deciding between a natural gem and an enhanced gem; Coloured gemstone synthesis and treatment; What to ask when buying the stone; What to get in writing; How to get what you want within your budget; Price guides for popular gems, opals, and synthetic stones.

Antoinette L Matlins PG, is an internationally respected gem and jewellery expert, author, lecturer and popular media guest. Her books are widely used throughout the world by consumers and professionals in the gem and jewellery field alike. Antonio C Bonanno FGA ASA MGA, was one of America's most distinguished gemologists. For over 40 years, he was President of the National Gem Appraising Laboratory, and Director of the Columbia School of Gemology in Silver Spring, Maryland.