- Unknown Binding: 59 pages
- Publisher: British Museum (Natural History) (1987)
- ISBN-10: 0565010247
- ISBN-13: 978-0565010249
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Review
"'Aesthetically pleasing, enjoyable, accurate, succinct... One could say a gem among books of its kind.' New Scientist on the first edition."
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Book Description
Discover the world’s most precious gems
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Although the cover shows a raw gem, this book is oriented towards jewelry gems, and most photos show faceted and polished gems. Most entries are brief (generally one per page, but some more), but each one I've looked at is interesting, with information about where the stone comes from, and technical information about chemical composition and crystal form. There are technical charts and tables at the end. The book is small but gives the impression of being a reduced-size version of a larger book, because the print is small and each entry is fairly contentful. Definitely an interesting & informative browse in a fairly small package.
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Gives information on the most common gemsones in an easy to read format. The photographs are excellent.A very good introduction to the subject, suitable for all age ranges.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
8 reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
In love with Gemstones!
6 July 2001
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The cover of "Gemstones" makes this a wonderful coffee table book. The book is filled with a color photo collection of cut and uncut stones, exquisite pieces of jewelry and exotic sculptures. Some photos show gems in their natural state and you will just be amazed at how they can be polished and cut to perfection.
An introduction entices you into reading about how gem minerals form, then the author delves into gemstones in history, why they are called gemstones, crystal structure, reflection and refraction, color and then cutting and polishing. Some stones are given special attention. There are full pages for diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, aquamarine, opal, amethyst, citrine, agate, jasper, tourmaline, topaz, peridot, zircon, garnet, chrysoberyl, spinel, jade, turquoise, lapis lazuli, moonstone, and labradorite stones.
Since attractive rocks and minerals have the potential for being any ornament, some softer materials are ideal for carving. There is a section that shows rare and curious gemstones I had never seen before. Who knew that fossilized wood could also be carved and polished. A two-page map shows where gem deposits are found. The country name is followed by the gems found in that region.
A grandmother may wear the birthstones of her grandchildren all in one ring or mothers may wear a necklace. One of the most beautiful rings I have seen had a diamond, emerald, amethyst and ruby and it secretly spells out "dear." I am in love with Moonstones for some reason. The clear ones are so amazing and can be worn as a necklace. They are said to be bits of moonbeams.
Here is a wonderful quote about Gemstones:
The rational person accepts that sapphire, September's birthstone, is an aluminum oxide crystal colored by traces of iron, titanium, vanadium, or chrome. But peering into the gem, you can just as well imagine, as did the ancient Persians, that it is a chip off the precious pedestal on which the earth balances, whose dancing reflections create the multifarious colors of the sky. They command your gaze. They escort you into the depths and facets of their crystalline and ordered universe. Gems-to-be are spewed from volcanoes and tossed up by ocean waves. Or they rest quietly in sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rock, waiting to be unleashed by water, wind, or the pickax of a miner. -Suzanne Winckler
This book might encourage greed.
I only want one of each! Is that too much to ask for? ;)
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Gemstones, a great book for beginners
24 Jan 2000
Format:Paperback
In this book is explained the different kinds of stones, how they are cut, where to find them, collections, etc. A great book for a beginner to learn more about gemstones. Includes a beautiful pictures. Recommended!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Gem Identifications
15 Jan 2007
Format:Paperback
This is a very small pocket size book, maybe 3"x4". It is a good book to carry with you when you go shopping for gemstones but with it being so small I don't like it. It is a very detailed book and a color for each precious gemstone but not enough information as the other books I reviewed. I think if they enlarged the book it would be easier to use. For a beginner I don't recommend this book for now but can be added to your reference library later.
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