This updated edition contains a new chapter on the treatment of gemstones, expanded information on whats 'New on the Market' and 400 additional stones. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice. It's not an A to Z as I thought it to be but it's a must have for any serious collectors that want to know the true business side of crystals. I have lost count how many times I have been to Thailand on Holiday and this book is a wonderful find if you’re visiting this beautiful country, especially if you would like to purchase gems. This is a complete survy of the gemstones of the world - with 1,500 stones illustrated in full colour and described.

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. Lesser-known and rare gems are not neglected, however, and he has compiled a fairly exhaustive list of gemstones, complete with color, hardness, density, refractive index, crystal system, and chemical composition.A fantastic, full colour Gemstones of the World poster, listing 182 Gemstones for easy identification purposes. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others.

With many charts and diagrams, Schumann offers full coverage of the optical features of gems - light and color, luminescence, refraction, and inclusions - and about densities and the chemical elements of each stone, with fascinating details on different cuts, polishing, synthetic and imitation gems, hardness, cleavage, classification, trade names, rarity, and much more - all with an easy-to-understand text.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. This is the best handbook on gemstones, featuring an unusually large number of species, including many rare members.

There are also many charts and diagrams as well as magnificent colour photographs of the stones with data about them on the facing page. For someone completely new to the science, the jargon may be difficult, although Schumann attempts to bypass this issue by providing a brief list at the beginning of the book of terminology that may be unfamiliar. It covers everything from the romance and history of more than 1,400 gemstones to their geographical locations, scientific, physical, and color properties, and they way they are formed, structured, and mined. Yet because of clever use of headers, shaded sections, illustrations, and white space, the text never seems cramped. Physical and chemical properties of each gem or gem group is identified in a header on the top of the left page, followed by notes of interest and specific varieties.To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Some of the terminology takes a bit of getting used to but a fascinating read about gemstone production, history, type, where found and loads more. More than 1,500 full-color photos showcase each precious and semiprecious stone in both its rough natural state and its polished and cut renditions. One interesting note about the photos is that often average specimens, rather than be-all, end-all quality gems are depicted.

Organic gem materials such as coral, ivory, amber, and pearl are also covered, along with more recently discovered stones like charoite. The author does approach this subject as a scientist, which is to say with great skepticism, and makes clear numerous times that there is no real proof of gemstones’ effectiveness in easing ailments beyond a well-intentioned placebo effect. Each entry offers complete information on the gemstones formation, structure, physical properties and characteristics, along with the best methods of working, cutting and polishing it. Second UK edition hard back binding in publisher's original pale olive paper covered boards, blocked and lettered gilt back. Gemstones of the World is a conveniently sized and organized reference book for both the casual and serious gemologist.Schumann largely focuses on minerals but does give proper descriptions of organic and synthetic materials as well. Some pieces in this collection are repeatable and some are one offs because I’ve used a single unique gemstone. 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. The text begins with a brief mineralogical and gemological study, focusing on such topics as basic crystallography and crystal systems, hardness, refractive index, and other pertinent features of gem materials. It has information on finding, mining, cutting and more, there are also 1,900 photographs to help identify crystals for beginners like me.