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Gemstones: Understanding, Identifying, Buying Hardcover – January 13, 2016

4.6 out of 5 stars 103 ratings

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Whether buying gem-set jewelry or loose stones, you will be faced with a colorful array of beauty and value. With such a wide choice - from amethyst to zircon - which should you choose? What is it worth, and how do you even know it is real? All that glitters is not gold, as they say, and all that sparkles is not diamond. Gemstones helps to answer these questions in simple and easy to understand terms. As well as diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires, over 100 gems are featured, with full descriptions, technical details, and tips on how to check for fakes.

The book is illustrated throughout with fabulous color photographs to make identification easier. Technical terms such as refraction and fluorescence are explained and some basic identification tests are introduced. A helpful tour around the world details where gems are best available. Informative appendices include a glossary of terms, tables of specific gravity and refractive index, and the comparative value of different stones.

The clear, uncomplicated presentation makes this book a must for anyone interested in gemstones, whether as an investment or simply as a hobby.
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Keith Wallis, a qualified gemmologist, is a firm believer in demystifying the complexities of the world of gemstones.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1851496300
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ ACC Art Books; new edition (January 13, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781851496303
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1851496303
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.9 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.33 x 0.79 x 0.33 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 103 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
103 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book to be a good reference material that provides great information about gemstones, including their history. The book includes a comprehensive list of gemstone properties and features a great set of pictures of different gems.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

9 customers mention "Information quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides great information, serving as a good reference material that offers history on gemstones. One customer mentions it includes a complete list of gemstone properties, while another notes it's extremely helpful for quick reference.

"...Besides a lot of interesting tidbits on individual gems, the book has appendices and other information that are extremely helpful for quick reference..." Read more

"Very informative. Could be longer. Easy to understand and entertaining." Read more

"...of precious and some semiprecious gemstones, gives you a look at the machines, gives you some history on gemstones and their various uses throughout..." Read more

"A pretty good book, especially the opening sections about the history of gemstones and the methods used to identify diamonds." Read more

5 customers mention "Picture quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the gemstone pictures in the book, with one customer noting they are in color and another mentioning a list of color vs type of gem.

"...A list of color vs type of gem. As a total novice, this is where I start identifying things I’ve already bought...." Read more

"Pristine pictures IN COLOR, alphabetical order, it explains everything about the identification of precious and some semiprecious gemstones, gives..." Read more

"...The book is slender but has a great set of pictures of the different gems...." Read more

"...It covers all Gemstone catogories with pictures. It gives tips on identifying natural stones...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2014
    Excellent, particularly (but not just) for beginners. Considering the book is only 160 pages, it is packed with tons of useful information. I like to shop estate sales and antique stores and wanted at least a fighting chance at recognizing fakes. This book makes me feel a little less vulnerable.

    Besides a lot of interesting tidbits on individual gems, the book has appendices and other information that are extremely helpful for quick reference. Here is a bullet list of (in my opinion) the books high points.
    • A Glossary of terms used in describing gems and their properties.
    • A list of color vs type of gem. As a total novice, this is where I start identifying things I’ve already bought. It at least helped me narrow down the possible stones for my web search on images. I am pretty sure my main mystery stone, is genuine yellow citrine.
    • A complete list of gemstone properties (i.e specific gravity, refractive index, hardness & crystal form.) Way beyond my needs but great info.
    • A translation table (between English, German, French, Italian and Spanish) on some of the more common terms & descriptive info.
    • A one-page list of reputable web sites, which is half the battle of buying.
    • I am big on Marquise cuts. This book has no marquise pics but it does have line drawings of the cuts and crystal systems
    • History, Myths and Legends was an interesting section that was totally unexpected. It even touched briefly on crystal healing theory and beliefs.
    • A chart (using diamond as the base reference) on size per carat. e.g. I had no idea “a 1 carat ruby is 13.35% smaller overall than a 1 carat diamond”.
    • Hallmarks for the different base and plate metals, including traditional fineness symbols and Assay offices stamps. I found out one of my rings is platinum, not a different fineness for silver as I originally thought.
    • A section on organic gems that I did not even know were classified as gems (i.e. ivory, abalone, jet & coral).
    • Other references for further reading
    • Last but not least the book has 3 value charts. One for Tanzanite, one for diamonds and one for gemstones.

    So much packed into so few pages. A great bargain by anyone’s standards
    10 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2023
    Very informative. Could be longer. Easy to understand and entertaining.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2013
    Pristine pictures IN COLOR, alphabetical order, it explains everything about the identification of precious and some semiprecious gemstones, gives you a look at the machines, gives you some history on gemstones and their various uses throughout history, the gems are bunched under what stone (Example: instead of Citrine, Amethyst, Ametrine, it says in large QUARTZ, then identifies each color and it's name) towards the back is a guide of where the highest quality stones have been mined, there is even a metallurgy guide in the back about how to identify what metal you have by the symbol on it. I must have read it a dozen times and still refer to it when I need to. MONEY WELL SPENT!
    7 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2008
    I bought this book and received the volume immediately. The book is slender but has a great set of pictures of the different gems. The book is set up like a dictionary with a discussion of each major (and many minor) gem usually with a review of how to identify it and how to distinguish some of the more common fakes.

    My only objection is that the book wasn't long enough.

    I liked the book a lot and would recommend it to anyone who loves gems.
    25 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2008
    A pretty good book, especially the opening sections about the history of gemstones and the methods used to identify diamonds.
    8 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2012
    This book is the best self study course on Gemstones. It covers all Gemstone catogories with pictures. It gives tips on identifying natural stones. Also, it has useful guidelines for buyers of the Gemstones.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2007
    If you need a book on Gemstones, this is the one. Awesome pictures and great detail on discribing the many different gems around the world. If you are a collector of gemstones, this is a MUST HAVE!"
    21 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2014
    An excellent book especially for beginers. Very detailed information. Highly recommended for those who are interested in stones.

Top reviews from other countries

  • toby
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Reference for Beginning Gemologists
    Reviewed in Canada on June 17, 2017
    Just perfect for me....a beginning gemologist ! I purchased it for personal use when buying various gemstone jewellry. This book is superbly

    Perfect book for a beginning gemologist....ME ! I bought it for personal use as a good reference prior to purchasing gemstone jewellry.
    This book contains gorgeous , colorful, very detailed diagrams & charts. LOVE IT !!
  • sujoy
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not up to the price
    Reviewed in India on August 2, 2019
    Does not give elaborate workable idea about the stones/minerals.
  • Evi
    5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I've come by so far.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 22, 2021
    This book is thorough and can be pretty helpful for the amateur and the novice. Great work. Also shipped and delivered pretty fast. Thank you.
  • charlotte harris
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love this reference book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 3, 2022
    Well recommended
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Colourful pictures
    Reviewed in Canada on March 19, 2019
    A nice explanatory gemstone book with nice colourful photos