Guide To Affordable Gemology

Gem Identification Made Easy is the first and only book that explains in non-technical terms how to identify diamonds and colored gems, and how to separate natural gems from imitations, treated stones, synthetics, and look-alikes. The book's approach is direct and practical, and its style easy to understand. In fact, with this highly accessible guide, anyone can begin to master gem identification. Includes over 150 photographs and illustrationsover 80 in full color! Using a simple, step-by-step system, the authors explain how to properly use essential but uncomplicated instruments to identify stones, what to look for gemstone by gemstone, and how to set up a basic lab at modest cost. Three of the instruments are inexpensive, portable, pocket instruments that, when used together, can identify almost 85% of all precious and popular stones. The key to avoiding costly mistakes and recognizing profitable opportunities is knowing both what to look for and what to look out for. Gem Identification Made Easy will help you: Open your eyes to the types of treatments, imitations, synthetics, look-alikes, and fakes in the gem market today. Learn how to tell the difference between them. Quickly spot: Synthetics, including synthetic emeralds and diamonds Filled diamonds Diffused "blue" sapphires and "red" rubies HPHT-treated diamonds ... and much more! Determine how to spot the newest "composite" imitations. Learn how to identify recently discovered gems such as "Mandarin" garnet, red "emerald," and North Carolina's chromium-rich emeralds. Discover new treatments such as surface coatings to create "fancy color" diamonds and improve or change the color of many gemstones. Know when to seek help from a professional gemologist or lab. Become more professional in your business or hobby.

Beginner's Guide to Gemmology presents the profiles of the principal gem materials. This book discusses the interesting characteristics of gemstones as the growing consumer market jewelry resulted in increased sales of gem testing instruments. Organized into 12 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the development of the science of gemmology. This text then explains the fundamental qualities necessary in a gem, including color, hardness, specific gravity, crystallography, refractive index, pleochroism, critical angle, luminescence, and absorption spectra. Other chapters consider the organic gem materials, including amber, ivory, coral, tortoiseshell, jet, ebony, and pearl. This book discusses as well the various methods used in the production of man-made gemstones and the commercial use in gem testing. The final chapter deals with the composition of synthetic gemstones. This book is a valuable resource for gemmologists and jewelers. Students who intend to become a qualified gemologist will also find this book extremely useful.

This colorful book offers you a window into the world of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the most amazing people of the twentieth century. You will learn about Gandhi’s life—from his time as a student in London to his work for equality in South Africa and India—and his methods of peaceful, but not passive, resistance to injustice.

An easy-to-use book that shows how anyone can learn to identify most of the gems and synthetics found in the marketplace. This practical book is essential reading for collectors, dealers, or students alike on how to avoid costly mistakes and recognize profitable opportunities.

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. With more varieties than ever before to choose from, including altogether new gems, revolutionary new cuts, and new ways to buy gems -- such as internet auctions and TV shopping -- there has never been a more exciting time to buy or collect coloured gemstones. But there are also new high-tech treatments and sophisticated frauds to look out for. 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 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, the guide offers in depth all the 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; And much, much more!

one person can accomplish big things.

Unearth a treasure trove of knowledge of over 130 gemstones from around the world. Learn how gemstones are formed and how to recognise them by their unique qualities and colours. A wonderful book for beginners, students, and gemstone-enthusiasts that includes the latest scientific research and gemstone classification. Gemstones is filled with all you need to know about these fascinating minerals - cut and uncut stones, organic gemstones, and precious metals. Inside you'll find: - Fast facts for quick reference, including chemical composition, hardness, gravity, lustre, and reflective value - Photo close-ups of key details and highlights of distinguishing features - Illustrations of faceting and shapes popular for each gemstone - A detailed introduction to everything a beginner gemologist needs to know including how gemstones form, the different properties, crystal shapes, faceting, and the history of gems Delve into the one-of-a-kind characteristics, colours, and attributes of more than 130 gemstones with this compact visual guide. For easy classification, each stone's entry includes annotated photographs to highlight distinguishing features and concise details about the attributes of gems. Designed for beginners and experienced collectors alike, this gemology book explores what gemstones are, how they are classified, and how to identify them by their physical and optical properties. It also shows you how they were fashioned and imitated throughout history. Learn the differences between varieties of cut and uncut stones, organic gemstones, and precious metals. It includes a glossary for many more technical and scientific terms and over 800 high-quality photos of gems. It's the ideal gift for any budding gemologist The DK Handbook series is an incredible collection of titles that fascinate curious minds. Other books include Rocks and Minerals, Dinosaurs, and Prehistoric Life, and Stars and Planets.