World From Rough Stones

England in 1839. A time of change, upheaval and limitless possibility. Every new mile of railroad track and every belching smokestack is a sign of the advancing age of opportunity, where fortune awaits those with the courage and determination to seize it. ""Lord John"" Stevenson is the clever, ruthless and hugely popular foreman working on a project to build the world's longest railway tunnel. A near-fatal accident brings the waifish buyet savvy Nora Telling into his life. Together with an ill-married couple, Walter and Arabella Thornton, they risk everything in their quest to achieve the wealth and power they so desperately desire. Their relentless ambition sets them on a path that will lead to fame, fortune and the founding of a dynasty. For more information and a full bibliography visit www.malcolmmacdonald.org.

Describes the appearance, formation, physical properties and characteristics, mining, and cutting of precious, semiprecious, and synthetic gemstones.

Opals emit a rainbow of colors, which makes them perfect gems to place in stunning pieces of jewelry. How do opals go from raw stones to beautiful gems? Readers discover the answer to this question as they learn the steps that must be taken and the technology that is used to find, cut, and polish opals. Clear main text and informative fact boxes help readers become experts on opals. Colorful photographs of these gems are sure to keep readers engaged as they learn.

The king of stones, valued since antiquity for their unrivalled hardness, diamonds today are both desired and deplored. Once faceted and polished they glitter on the fingers of brides-to-be and in the ornaments of the super-rich, but their extraction from some of the world’s poorest countries remains contentious. Immensely valuable for their size, diamonds can be easily hidden and transported, making them perfect contraband. Diamonds have been widely used in industry since the nineteenth century and have long been valued for their pharmaceutical and prophylactic properties. This entertaining and richly illustrated book examines the history of the diamond trade through the centuries from India and Brazil to South Africa and Europe and investigates what happens to diamonds once they reach the cutters and polishers. Marcia Pointon takes the reader on a unique tour of the ways in which the quadrahedron diamond shape has inspired design, architecture, and painting, from the symbolism of medieval manuscripts to modern-day graffiti. She questions the etiquette of engagement rings, and she reminds us why and how lost, stolen, or cursed diamonds create suspense in so many classic novels and films. This compelling and fascinating account of the history of sparklers around the world will appeal to all who covet, as well as all who despise, the unparalleled brilliance and glitter of the diamond.

A stunning visual reference book for little geologists who love to find fascinating rocks all around them. Identify colorful gemstones, sparkly crystals, the toughest rocks, and ancient fossils. Packed with fun facts, information, and extensive photos all about the rocks and minerals that make up the world around us. Interactive learning that engages young scholarly minds. Learn about 64 different types of rocks and minerals, how to tell the difference between them and where to find them. Dig into all the interesting geological materials from deep space to the deepest caves. You’ll even discover glow in the dark minerals and living gems! Find out about the stuff our world is made of, and how rocks and minerals form over time. This captivating book introduces children to hands-on science with fun activities like starting your own impressive rock collection and how to stay safe on your rock finding missions. Written for kids aged 6 to 9 with bite-sized information and explanations. The easy-to-understand language gives them a rock-solid foundation for science subjects. The geology book includes the phonetic pronunciation of the rock and mineral names so your little one will sound like a rock expert in no time. Rockin’ It With Stones And Minerals • Stunning high-quality photographs. • Inspiring activities for little Earth scientists. • Over 64 types of rocks, their properties, and how they are formed.