Premium Members Get 10% Off and Earn Rewards Find Out More
Gemstones: A Concise Reference Guide

Gemstones: A Concise Reference Guide

by Robin Hansen
Gemstones: A Concise Reference Guide

Gemstones: A Concise Reference Guide

by Robin Hansen

Overview

A richly illustrated guide to the gemstones of the world

Gemstones have been a source of delight and fascination for thousands of years, from the icy brilliance of diamond and the soft iridescence of pearl to tough jade gems once used in weapons and pink topaz that was popular in Victorian jewelry. This book covers every known type of gemstone, exploring each one’s unique beauty, rarity, and durability. It reveals how gems form, where they are found and mined, how to identify them, and more. With sumptuous color photos throughout, Gemstones offers dazzling insights into the world of the rare and the valuable.

  • Covers every kind of gemstone known to exist
  • Features a wealth of beautiful, full-color photos
  • Discusses the natural history of gemstones and their physical and chemical properties
  • Explains how to distinguish the real from the fake
  • Discusses cutting and polishing techniques and their use in adornment throughout history
  • Includes invaluable identification tips

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780691214481
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication date: 04/12/2022
Pages: 240
Sales rank: 1,078,038
Product dimensions: 5.50(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Robin Hansen is curator of minerals and gemstones at the Natural History Museum in London.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction 4

The gemstones 47

2 Well-known gems 48

Andalusite 49

Apatite 51

Azurite 53

Beryl and its varieties 54

Chrysoberyl 67

Corundum - ruby and sapphire 72

Diamond 85

Diaspore 103

Diopside 105

Feldspar Group 107

Fluorite 115

Garnet Group 118

Iolite 128

Jade 130

Kyanite 136

Lapis lazull 138

Malachite 139

Opal 141

Peridot 146

Quartz and its varieties 149

Rhodochrosite 167

Rhodonite 168

Scapolite 169

Sillimanite 171

Sodalite 172

Spinel 173

Spodumene 176

Tanzanite 178

Tektite 181

Topaz 184

Tourmaline 188

Turquoise 194

Zircon 197

3 Lesser-known gems 200

Benitoite 201

Calcite 203

Kornerupine 204

Painite 206

Phenakite 207

Sinhalite 208

Sphalerite 209

Taaffeite 210

Titanite 211

4 Organic gems 212

Amber 213

Ammolite 217

Coral 218

Ivory 219

Jet 221

Pearl 223

Shell 228

Tortoiseshell 229

Further information 230

Index 231

Picture credits 239

Author biography and Acknowledgements 240

From the B&N Reads Blog
Page 1 of

Customer Reviews